1ST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ONCOMMERCE IN 21ST CENTURY: INNOVATIONS, TRENDS AND PRACTICES
Xavier school of commerce organised its 1st National Conference on Feb.20, 2016. The theme of the conference was “Commerce in 21st Century: Innovations, Trends and Practices”. Prof. Dr. Fr. Paul Fernandes, S.J., Vice chancellor of the university while inaugurating the conference said the commerce graduates have a lot of responsibilities towards mother earth and stressed the need for green accounting. 
Sri Niten Chandra, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt., Dept. of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilitieswas the chief guest on the occasion. In his speech, Sri Chandra said that commerce held the key to every success in 21st century.
CMA Bhabatosh Banerjee, Retd. Professor of Calcutta University and Prof. Banikanta Mishra, Professor of finance were guests of honour in the inaugural session.
A plenary session was held on the theme, “Role of Commerce Education in Nation Building”. CMA Bhabatosh Banerjee, Retd. Professor of Calcutta University, Prof. Hanifof St. Xavier College, Kolkata, Prof. Achalapathyof Osmania University, Hyderabad, CA RajibSahoo, Sr. Practicing Chartered Accountant, spoke on the occasion. Prof. Ranjan K. Bal, Professor, PG Dept. of Commerce, Utkal University, moderated the session.
The speakers were of the view that commerce served both at the macro and micro levels and played a very significant role in “nation building”. Almost all of them unanimously agreed that commerce education was in fact currently at the cross road and required collective effort of both academicians and professionals for a more pragmatic change. While some members stressed the need to align the course curriculum with international standards, others emphasized on the importance of research and industry-academia interface. All the members advised the participants to bring innovation in pedagogy and understand the importance of technology in imparting education. 
Research papers were presented by researcher scholars, faculty from different colleges and universities and students of the school of commerce in two technical sessions. Many research topics were well discussed and debated. The sessions were chaired by eminent researchers who gave their expert views after each presentation.
Fr. Tony Uvary, Registrar of the university graced the valedictory session and gave away the certificates and prizes. Prof. Sibanjan Mishra, conference secretary and Prof. RanjanDasgupta, co-convener of the conference proposed vote of thanks in the inaugural session and valedictory session respectively.
