On 28th June 2025, Institute for Future Education, Entrepreneurship and Leadership (iFEEL), Pune, proudly hosted the much-awaited HR Summit and Felicitation Ceremony 2025, marking a significant milestone in its journey of promoting innovation, leadership, and excellence in the field of management education. This grand event served as a platform to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Human Resource professionals across diverse industries while also fostering strong connections between academia and the corporate world.
The summit witnessed the gracious presence of several eminent dignitaries and visionaries, making it a truly memorable occasion. The event was graced by Dr. Kiran Bedi, Retired IPS officer and Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, who served as the chief guest. Known for her leadership, courage, and pioneering work in public service, Dr. Bedi’s presence added great inspiration and value to the event. Her address to the audience was both empowering and thought-provoking, as she stressed the strategic importance of HR professionals in shaping not only successful organizations but also a robust and progressive nation.
Accompanying her were two other notable dignitaries – Dr. Buddha Chandrashekhar, CEO of Anuvadini AI and Chief Coordinating Officer at AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Former Director General of NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govt. of India and ex-Managing Director of RajCOMP, Government of Rajasthan. Both speakers brought with them a wealth of knowledge, experience, and futuristic insights on leadership, technology integration, and HR innovation.
One of the most significant highlights of the summit was the felicitation of over 100 distinguished HR professionals. The awardees came from sectors including Information Technology, FMCG, Healthcare, Wellness, Banking & Finance, Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Automobile, and Services. Awardees included CHROs, HR Directors, Heads of HR, Talent Acquisition Heads, HR Managers, reflecting a broad spectrum of HR leadership.
These individuals were recognized for their unwavering commitment, contribution, and influence in the field of human resource development.
Dr. Sanjay Salunkhe, Founder and CMD of Jaro Education and Group Director of iFEEL, was honoured by Dr. Kiran Bedi with the title of 'Visionary Leader in Digital Education and Upskilling Innovation' for his outstanding contribution to online higher education and upskilling industry in India.
The mementos were presented personally by Dr. Kiran Bedi, who expressed heartfelt appreciation for their dedication. She congratulated each awardee and expressed that HR plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s professional journey. They are not just facilitators but mentors, guides, and problem-solvers—often like parents in the workplace. HR professionals work tirelessly for the growth and development of human capital. True success lies in having the ability to listen with empathy, understand with clarity, and respond with wisdom. This is the real mantra of meaningful leadership and lasting impact, she added.
Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma spoke about the need for digital readiness, emotional intelligence, and change management within HR functions. He emphasized that HR is not only a support function but transformation partner. Skill-based recruitment is the need of the hour. HR professionals act as change agents, driving transformation within organizations. Integrating recruitment with AI-driven technical training will not only enhance workforce capabilities but also ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the organization
Dr. Buddha Chandrashekhar highlighted that industry-academia collaboration is a core objective of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He appreciated the efforts of iFEEL in fostering such collaboration and mentioned that it was encouraging to witness these practices in action. He emphasized the need to move forward by adopting new technologies and strengthening collaborative efforts to achieve holistic growth
Dr. Sanjay Salunkhe, Group Director of iFEEL, addressed the audience with a passionate reaffirmation of iFEEL’s commitment to excellence. He emphasized the institution’s vision of creating future-ready leaders through an education system that is deeply rooted in industry relevance, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He shared how iFEEL constantly evolves its teaching methodologies and curricula to align with the current demands of the business world. The HR Summit, he noted, was not just a recognition platform but also an initiative to bridge the gap between academia and industry, encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning.
The event was anchored by Ms. Priyanka Pathak. Dr. Shraddha Purandare, with a detailed and compelling presentation, took the audience through iFEEL’s journey, highlighting the institute’s key achievements, growth milestones, academic initiatives, and future plans. She illustrated how iFEEL, over the last 15 years, has emerged as a leading institute in the field of management education.
The summit was a collective effort involving the dedicated participation of the entire iFEEL team. Deputy Director Dr. Sagar Bhadange, along with all faculty members and support staff, worked diligently to ensure the smooth and successful execution of the event.
In conclusion, the HR Summit and Felicitation Ceremony 2025 was not just an event—it was a celebration of vision, dedication, and progress. It served as a powerful reminder of the vital role that HR professionals play in shaping organizational culture, fostering innovation, and contributing to national growth. Through such initiatives, iFEEL continues to strengthen its commitment to excellence in education while also nurturing a strong connection with industry leaders. The event was a true testament to iFEEL’s ongoing journey as a catalyst for transformation and a hub for leadership development.
