XavUltraTalks '26: St Xavier's University to Explore the Future of Business Leadership on Nov 2

St Xavier's University, Kolkata, is set to host XavUltraTalks '26 on November 2, 2026, bringing together industry experts to discuss the future of business, innovation and leadership in an increasingly technology-driven world. Organised by the Xavier's Commerce and Management Society (XCMS), the session will centre on the theme "Building for Tomorrow: Business Leadership in the Age of Industry 4.0". The initiative aims to connect academic learning with corporate experience, enabling undergraduate students to explore emerging business challenges and understand the decisions shaping modern organisations.

The event will be held under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J.; Registrar Rev. Fr. Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, S.J.; Dr. Somnath Banerjee, Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Management; Rev. Dr. Maria Joseph Israel, S.J., Associate Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Management (Morning Section); Mr. Mario Martin Louis, Campus Minister; Mr. Vatsal Chirimar, Honorary Secretary of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata; and the Alumni Association. Dr. Samrat Banerjee and Dr. Mili Kar, Professors-in-Charge, have provided mentorship for the initiative.

Inspired by the TED Talk format, XavUltraTalks is designed as an interactive knowledge-sharing platform where students can engage with industry leaders, learn from their professional journeys and gain perspectives beyond conventional classroom teaching. The discussion will examine how technological advancements are changing business operations and why long-term success also depends on financial discipline, effective corporate governance, strategic innovation and the ability to respond to uncertainty. By bringing these considerations together, the session seeks to explore how organisations can strengthen their operations and pursue sustainable growth in the Industry 4.0 era.

The panel will feature Dr. Joydeep Mookerjee, FCA, FCMA, former Global CFO of Vision Rx Lab, who has been recognised among India's Top 10 CFOs in the Manufacturing Industry by CEO Insights in 2022 and as one of the Top 10 Leaders & Achievers in India by Industry Outlook in 2023. With experience in financial strategy, fundraising and digital transformation, he is expected to bring insights into building financially resilient businesses and supporting sustainable growth.

Another panellist, CS Advocate Dr. Mamta Binani, former National President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), is recognised for her work in corporate governance and insolvency. She was the first registered Insolvency Professional in India and the first Indian recipient of the IWIRC Women of the Year in Restructuring (Asia) Award in 2021. Her professional experience spans corporate law, restructuring and governance.

The panel will also include Mr. Aditya Hans, Partner at Dhruva Advisors LLP and a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Having worked with three of the Big Four professional-services firms -- KPMG, PwC and EY -- he specialises in international taxation and transfer pricing. His experience advising on cross-border tax matters and transactions across industries, along with his contributions to technical forums and tax journals, will add a business advisory perspective to the discussion.

CA Shivam Kumar Bajaj, founder of Startup Captain, will moderate the session. A startup advisory professional specialising in financial strategy, fundraising and business structuring, he works with founders on investment readiness, financial management and growth planning. He will guide the conversation on strategic decision-making, business leadership and the challenges of building and scaling ventures in a rapidly evolving corporate environment.

Through XavUltraTalks '26, XCMS aims to encourage students to consider how business leaders can balance innovation with accountability while preparing organisations for future challenges.