(Nirmaan 2.0 Poster)
The primary objective of Academic Week 2025 (Nirmaan) was to provide a holistic platform that evaluated and enhanced the business intellect, analytical reasoning, and entrepreneurial capabilities of students. Through a diverse series of events—including The Casecraft Challenge, VisionConnect Challenge, BizIntel Challenge, and The Ideathon League—the week aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The initiative sought to inspire participants to address real-world corporate issues, align business strategies with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), conduct deep industry research, and foster innovation through startup ideation.
The event resulted in significantly strengthened strategic problem-solving skills and enhanced exposure to real-world corporate and societal challenges among participants. By engaging in rigorous case studies, SDG mapping, and business pitching, students refined their research, presentation, and decision-making abilities. Furthermore, the week fostered a culture of innovation and collaboration, allowing students to build professional networks with industry experts and faculty, ultimately equipping them with the managerial acumen and research proficiency required for future leadership roles.
As part of the Academic Week "Nirmaan 2.0," SIBM Hyderabad proposes a comprehensive series of intellectual competitions designed to test the management and entrepreneurial mettle of the student fraternity. The week is structured around four pivotal events, each targeting specific competencies ranging from strategy and research to social responsibility and innovation.
The Academic Week Nirmaan 2.0 commenced with an inaugural function at 9:30 AM, marked by a warm and auspicious beginning. The ceremony started with the symbolic gesture of watering the plants, signifying growth, knowledge, and new beginnings. This was followed by a soulful Ganesh Vandana, invoking blessings for a successful and enlightening academic week. The event was then formally addressed by Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM, Hyderabad, whose words set the tone for the week’s intellectual rigor and collaborative spirit. This was followed by an insightful address by Dr. Shivoham Singh, who highlighted the vision, objectives, and importance of Nirmaan 2.0 in fostering strategic thinking, innovation, and holistic learning among students.
Judges: Mr. Sunil Potturi, CTO, Sid’s Farm & Dr. Shivoham Singh
Event Duration: 10:00 am – 12:50 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre
The week kicked off with The Casecraft Challenge, a two-stage competition focused on strategic decision-making. It began with an online elimination quiz that tested participants’ knowledge of marketing, strategy, and current affairs. The top teams advanced to the on-campus finale, where they worked on a live business case.
Finalists were tasked with presenting a 5-slide deck covering situational analysis and strategic recommendations, simulating a real corporate boardroom environment to assess their analytical depth and presentation poise. Each team delivered an 8–10 minute presentation, followed by a Q&A session conducted by the j udges.
Winners: SIBM, Hyderabad
Runners Up: IMT, Hyderabad
(CaseCraft Runners Up)
Event Duration: 10:00 am – 12:50 pm
Venue: Computer Lab
Running in parallel, the Vision Connect Challenge emphasized social responsibility by aligning business problems with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the preliminary round, teams submitted video pitches identifying real-world problems linked to SDGs.
The final offline round required shortlisted teams to present detailed solutions through a 10-slide PowerPoint presentation, where they defended the feasibility and potential social impact of their strategies before a panel of judges. Each team delivered a 10-minute presentation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
Winners: SIBM, Hyderabad
Runners Up: NALSAR
(Vision Connect Winners)
Judges: Dr. Kompella Lakshminarayana & Dr. Debanjan Nag
Event Duration: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Computer Lab
Bridging industry practice with academic rigor, the BizIntel Challenge engaged students in deep-dive industry analysis. The event progressed from a practical Round 1, where participants analysed market structures and financial trends of an industry, to a research-intensive Round 2.
In the final stage, teams presented a structured Literature Review (LR), connecting their practical findings with academic frameworks and identifying research gaps. This approach helped cultivate both managerial acumen and scholarly research skills among participants. The presentations were conducted for 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
Winners: SIBM, Hyderabad
Runners Up: SIBM, Hyderabad
(BizIntel Winners)
Judges: Dr. Kottala Sri Yogi & Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Panigrahi
Event Duration: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre
Concluding the week was The Ideathon League, a multi-stage entrepreneurship competition designed to foster an innovation-driven mindset among participants. The event guided teams through the complete entrepreneurial journey—from a 1–2 page idea submission in Stage 1 to a detailed business plan pitch in Stage 2.
The grand finale featured a hybrid presentation format, where finalists pitched their comprehensive business models before a panel of faculty and industry experts, competing for seed capital and mentorship opportunities. Each team delivered a 10-minute presentation, followed by a 5-minute Q&A session.
Winners: IMT, Hyderabad
Runners Up: NALSAR, Hyderabad
(Ideathon League Winners)
The closing ceremony of Nirmaan 2.0 commenced at 12:00 PM, marking the conclusion of two days of enriching academic engagement. The event began with the announcement of the Day 2 event results, celebrating the efforts and achievements of all participating teams. This was followed by an inspiring series of addresses by esteemed faculty members; Dr. Shyamsunder Chitta, Deputy Director, SIBM, Hyderabad, Dr. Kottala Sri Yogi, Dr. Kompella Lakshminarayana and Dr. Debanjan Nag, each highlighting the significance of the event in fostering analytical thinking, creativity, and managerial excellence among students. The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Student Vice President, Laya Khaspa, expressing gratitude to the faculty, participants, student committees, and volunteers for making Nirmaan 2.0 a resounding success.
Academic Week 2025 proved to be an enriching experience that successfully merged academic learning with practical corporate application. By challenging students to think critically across various domains; strategy, sustainability, research, and entrepreneurship; the event laid a strong foundation for future knowledge-driven initiatives and professional growth within the student community.
