The Human Resource Management (HRM) Programme of Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi organised a session on the topic “Changing roles of HR” by an esteemed alumnus of the batch of 1994 of Personnel Management & Industrial Relations (PM&IR), Mr Rajorshi Ganguli, President and Global HR Head, Alkem Laboratories Ltd. at Fr Michael Van Den Bogart Auditorium of XISS.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS. He addressed the gathering and extended gratitude to Alkem Laboratories for reaching out for the well-being of the XISS family during Covid 19.

Dr Shyamal Gomes, Professor, and Head of HRM introduced the guest speaker to the audience. He set the notion for the session and its importance in employee productivity in organisations.

Mr Rajorshi Ganguli kickstarted the topic of the day by establishing the complexities and evolution of Human Resources Management. He stated that firstly, the role of an HR practitioner is not stereotyped or restricted but flexible and ever-changing. Secondly, the power of communication and the ability to gather “clarity out of chaos”. And lastly, the essence of talent management and developing agility to incorporate technology in HR practices to provide innovative ways to recruit and retain the new generation of employees.

Mr Ganguli stressed upon having strong functional knowledge to grow in their career and suggested students enhance their functional expertise by reading a lot because having index-level basic knowledge will not take a professional long in this competitive world.

The students of both first and second years asked many relevant questions to Mr Ganguli and developed a broader perspective on changing roles of HR and the skills needed to excel professionally. Mr Ganguli told students that the attributes such as being innovative, having a positive attitude, and eagerness to learn that set one candidate apart from others during interviews so students must try to inculcate and demonstrate such qualities in their behaviour.

The event concluded with giving a memento as a token of gratitude to the guest speaker by Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director. A vote of thanks was presented by Dr Ramakant Agrawal, Professor, Human Resource Management.