When Screens Came Alive: The Power of Face-to-Face Connections March 23, 2023 – IIT Delhi Campus
The glass-walled conference halls of IIT Delhi buzzed with excitement as IIM Bangalore’s BBA in Digital Business & Entrepreneurship program held its first physical gathering. Over 300 students, faculty members and industry leaders transformed their digital connections into real-world relationships during this landmark event.
Academic Insights Meet Human Connection The day began with Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula’s compelling “Serendipity Engine” session, where students scribbled notes as he demonstrated how unexpected connections create opportunities. “This framework changed how I view networking,” shared a second-year participant.
The energy intensified during the industry panel featuring:
· Nupur Arya (Harvard Business School alumna) advocating structured mentorship
· Divay Pranav (Hyundai Motor India) championing learning from all organizational levels
Their dynamic debate had students leaning forward in their seats, with many later describing it as “the most thought-provoking discussion we’ve had.”
Ideathon : Where Theory Met Practice The program’s innovative spirit shone during the competitive Ideathon, where teams developed solutions to enhance peer learning. The winning team’s solution impressed judges with its practical application of digital business concepts.
The Unplanned Magic Between sessions, the real magic happened:
· First in-person meetings between virtual study groups
· Spontaneous faculty-student discussions in the corridors
· Dozens of phones capturing new friendships
As the day ended, there was unanimous agreement: while technology enables education, human connection gives it meaning. This successful gathering has set the stage for future offline ev