Pune : NICMAR University, Pune, hosted the HR Summit 2025 on its campus on Friday (April 4), bringing together HR leaders from across the industrial sectors to discuss emerging trends, workforce evolution, and the future of the work.
Dr. C. Jayakumar, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Human Resources (CHRO) at Larsen & Toubro Limited, inaugurated the summit as the Chief Guest. Highlighting the profound transformation in HR, Jayakumar said, “Recruiters are now using GenAI to screen resumes, generate interview questions, and even conduct assessments. In a striking shift, candidates are also deploying similar tools to anticipate questions and prepare tailored responses.” The adoption of AI is not confined to hiring alone. Across learning and development, GenAI is enabling personalized coaching, performance feedback, and dynamic learning journeys—marking HR’s evolution into a technology-first function, he remarked. “For some, flexibility means working from home, for others, it’s fewer days at the office—or no fixed schedule at all. Even in traditionally on-site industries like construction, leaders are being called to rethink what flexibility truly means for their workforce,” said Jayakumar.
Sahil Nayar, HR Leader and Influencer, in his keynote address, decoded the essence of NICMAR as an acronym symbolizing Navigating change, Intellectual curiosity, Courage, Mastering agility and adaptability, Authenticity, and Resilience. NICMAR University, Pune’s President and Chancellor Dr. Anil Kashyap stated that the construction sector contributes 9-10% to India's GDP and is the second-largest source of employment. He affirmed NICMAR’s pivotal role in nation-building by nurturing skilled talent, and outlined the university's focus on emerging areas like artificial intelligence, construction technology, digitization, and 3D printing. Vice Chancellor Dr. Sushma S. Kulkarni reiterated the importance of preparing youth to meet the industry’s future challenges. She shared that NICMAR is working towards launching new academic programs in energy, environment, civil engineering, architecture, and general management.
The summit featured four insightful panel discussions on:
- Workforce generational transformation
- Academia’s role in skill development
- The impact of AI on employment
- Key skills for career success
The event served as a valuable platform for students to gain practical industry insights and interact with top HR and industry professionals. The summit concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jonardan Koner, Dean (Career Services, International Affairs, and Alumni Relations).
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