The Department of Commerce, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College Evening (Autonomous), Mylapore, Chennai, through Bourgeon – Student Association of the Department of Commerce, successfully organised CATALYST’26 – the 1st International Seminar on 25 September 2026 at the Prayer Hall of the college.
Theme: “Global Synergies in Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Technology”
With 400+ participants from undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses, CATALYST’26 brought together students and distinguished professionals for a day of meaningful discussions and diverse perspectives on the evolving global landscape.
We were privileged to have Mr. Ramesh Narayanan – Founder, Caterworld.ai; Director, Sincere Syndication; and Former CEO, A2B – deliver the inaugural address. He shared valuable insights on global business, international trade, technology and future-ready skills.
The seminar featured an accomplished panel of speakers who addressed contemporary and emerging areas:
Mr. Shyam Sundar Sridhar — Beyond GDP: Policy Metrics for Genuine Well-Being and Ecological Wealth
Mr. Ajith Kumar — Tourism 2030: What Will Travel Look Like in the Next Decade?
Mr. Vishwanathan Venkatesan — The Shift Towards Micro-Credentials and Continuous Upskilling
Mr. Kumaran Ramakrishnan & Mr. Itaru Kujiraoka — De-risking the Global Network: Challenges of Geopolitics in Supply Chain
Dr. R. Saranya — Role of Women in Financial Inclusion as a Growth Catalyst
Mr. Venkat Narayanan L — Wealth Management for the Next-Gen Investors
The event concluded with CATALYST Trivia, an engaging quiz based on the sessions, followed by the recognition of the top participants.
A sincere expression of gratitude to our inaugural address speaker, distinguished speakers, college authorities, faculty members, student volunteers and 400+ participants, whose presence and contribution made CATALYST’26 a truly enriching academic experience.
CATALYST’26 — Connecting Ideas. Inspiring Perspectives. Shaping Futures.
