This year’s ceremony became even more momentous with the presence of the distinguished Chief Guest, Lieutenant General Pankaj P. Rao, Director & Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune and the Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps. His presence brought honour to every scholar and added prestige to the degrees awarded. The Convocation was declared open at time 11:40 AM by the Hon’ble Chancellor who addressed the Convocation Batch of the Sri Balaji University, Pune and exhorted them to be true to the ideals of the university in the course of their lives. The Chancellor’s speech was followed by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, who gave a detailed report about the activities and the achievements of the university to the Hon’ble Chief Guest, following which the gold medals, medals, certificates and degrees were awarded to the distinguished students of the Convocation Batch. In addition to the above, 15 research scholars of the Sri Balaji University, Pune were conferred with their Ph.D. Degrees at the auspicious hands of the Hon’ble Chief Guest, who addressed the Convocation batch, their parents and the faculty and staff of Sri Balaji University, Pune exhorting them to be true to the ideals lived by the Hon’ble Founder Chancellor, SBUP, the late Prof. Col. Dr. A. Balasubramanian and asked the convocation batch to be the best they can be, in their respective stations and positions in life. The convocation ceremony was not just a formal awarding of degrees—it was a celebration of intellectual perseverance, dedication, and transformative thought. Each scholar's research contributes meaningfully to academia, industry, and society, reinforcing the values that Sri Balaji University, Pune stands for.

Following is a short description about these 15 scholars and their areas of research, for which they were conferred with the Ph.D. Degrees in the convocation, in the sequence in which they were conferred with their Ph.Ds. at the hands of the Hon’ble Chief Guest in the convocation -

1. Mr. Balbir Raj Saini. Guide: Dr. Sweta Banerjee, Dy. Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic - Cultural Diversity and Workforce Management, Productivity & Performance

Dr. Balbir Raj Saini’s research explores one of the most important themes in global business today—cultural diversity in the workplace. His study offers a structured understanding of how diverse teams contribute to productivity, cohesion, and organizational efficiency. At a time when organizations are more cross-functional and multicultural than ever before, his work provides actionable insights for HR practitioners and business leaders looking to harness the true power of diversity, making his research a significant contribution to the body of knowledge from the perspective of human resources management in the companies in India.

2. Mr. Prakash Rao. Guide: Dr. Shubhra Anand. Research Topic: Awareness and Understanding of the New Direct Tax Regime in India.

Dr. Prakash Rao’s research is in relation with the new developments in the law regarding Income tax in India. Taxation policy changes affect millions, yet public awareness is often limited. Mr. Prakash Rao’s research demystifies the New Direct Tax Regime, offering a deep dive into taxpayer behaviour, adoption challenges, and the socio-economic factors shaping financial decision-making in India. His findings contribute to the body of literature in the topic and has performed an addition to the national discourse on simplifying taxation frameworks and enhancing financial literacy among citizens in India

3. Mr. Uday Deshmane. Guide: Dr. Dimple Saini, Dean - Sri Balaji University, Pune & Senior Director - Corporate Relations, SBUP. Research Topic: Attrition of On-Roll Employees in the Mumbai Service Sector During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Dr. Uday Deshmane’s research is of significance in understanding the changes in the workforce in the service sector in Mumbai, during the time of the pandemic induced changes in the country. Employee attrition surged dramatically during COVID-19, reshaping workforce dynamics across industries. Mr. Uday Deshmane’s study investigates this phenomenon in Mumbai’s service sector, identifying the root causes—ranging from health anxieties to job insecurity—and recommending sustainable retention strategies. His research carries immense relevance for post-pandemic HR systems and has contributed to the body of knowledge, enabling the transition toward resilience and human-centric work models in our country.

4. Ms. Shalini Shivram. Guide: Dr. G. Gopalakrishnan, Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Co-Guide: Dr. Dimple Saini, Dean - Sri Balaji University, Pune & Senior Director - Corporate Relations, SBUP. Research Topic: Employability Skills and Competency Mapping of MBA Graduates in Pune

Dr. Shalini Shivram’s work addresses a national priority—the employability of management graduates. Her comprehensive competency mapping framework aligns academic outcomes with industry expectations, bridging gaps through structured training, curriculum modernization, and skill development. Her study is a valuable addition to the body of literature in the topic and can act as a resource for institutions striving to elevate student readiness in a rapidly evolving job market.

5. Ms. Deepshikha Chavan. Guide: Dr. G. Gopalakrishnan, Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Workplace Flexibility and Employee Behaviour in Private Financial Institutions in Mumbai.

As organizations increasingly adopt hybrid and flexible work models, Dr. Deepshikha Chavan’s research stands at the centre of this transformation. Her study examines how perceived and actual workplace flexibility influence employee voice, engagement, work–family conflict, and citizenship behaviour. The findings offer valuable guidance for financial institutions seeking to balance productivity with employee well-being, adding to the body of literature in the topic for greater benefit to the way HR is managed in India.

6. Ms. Smita Pathak. Guide: Dr. G. Gopalakrishnan, Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Relationship Between Empathy and Job Satisfaction in the Banking Sector (Pune Municipal Corporation Area).

Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of workplace success. Dr. Smita Pathak’s study uncovers how empathy influences job satisfaction across various banking institutions. Her research adds to the body of literature, highlighting the role of interpersonal dynamics, leadership empathy, and customer-centric behaviour in boosting employee morale, engagement, and retention—especially in high-pressure service environments like banking.

7. Ms. Nisha Ana John. Guide: Dr. Asha Naik
Research Topic: Management of Social Welfare Schemes for the Toiling Class Under Gender Budgeting in Kerala (with Special Reference to LIFE Mission).

Dr. Nisha Ana John investigates the role of gender budgeting as a transformative instrument of inclusive governance. Focusing on Kerala’s LIFE Mission, her study evaluates how gender-responsive welfare schemes improve livelihood, financial stability, social empowerment, and personal development among toiling-class women. Her work has made an addition to the body of literature, providing a deep insight into policy implementation, administrative responsiveness, and the long-term socio-economic upliftment of marginalized women.

8. Ms. Shaivi Bhatnagar. Guide: Dr. Sweta Banerjee, Dy. Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Impact of Performance Appraisal Systems on Organizational Commitment in the IT and ITES Sector

Performance appraisals continue to influence employee engagement and workplace culture. Dr. Shaivi Bhatnagar assesses how fairness, transparency, communication, and employee participation in the appraisal process shape organizational commitment. Her study offers valuable perspectives for strengthening performance management systems in dynamic IT industries and has made an addition to the body of knowledge, which will no doubt inspire more research studies in the general topic area in the future.

9. Ms. Aanchal Dwivdi. Guide: Dr. Sweta Banerjee, Dy. Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Impact of Green HRM Practices on Performance and Retention in the IT Sector

Environmental sustainability has become a corporate priority, and Dr. Aanchal Dwivedi’swork highlights its influence on employee performance and retention. Her study has performed an addition to the body of literature, demonstrating that Green HRM practices—such as eco-friendly policies, digital processes, and environmental training—create stronger employer brands, improve engagemet, and attract millennial talent.

10. Mr. Lalit Rajaramji (Lalit R. Gabhane). Guide: Dr. G. Gopalakrishnan, Director, BIMHRD, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Factors Affecting Employee Safety in the Oil & Gas Sector in India

Industrial Safety is paramount in high-risk industries, and Dr. Lalit Gabhane’s research addresses this critical area. His study explores how regulatory compliance, workplace environment, human factors, management commitment, and safety training impact accident prevention in the oil and gas sector in India. By identifying key determinants of safety performance, his work contributes significantly to the body of knowledge, enriching the existing literature in the industry standards, policy refinement, and organizational safety culture in the Indian oil and gas industry.

11. Mr. Jitendra Sharma. Guide: Dr. Rajeshwari Patil, Dy. Director, BITM, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Succession Planning Practices in Indian Manufacturing Organizations

Future leadership continuity is essential for long-term business stability. Dr. JitendraSharma’s research provides a detailed assessment of how Indian manufacturing companies identify, develop, and retain leadership talent. His study emphasizes structured career paths, employee readiness, and systematic grooming processes, offering a roadmap for companies navigating generational leadership transitions.

12. Ms. Konica. Guide: Dr. Rajeshwari Patil, Dy. Director, BITM, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Career Path Challenges for Women in the Hotel Industry (Rajasthan & Maharashtra)

Dr. Konica’s study addresses gender-specific career challenges in the hospitality sector, including safety concerns, long working hours, leadership bias, and work–life balance difficulties. She proposes targeted HR interventions, policy reforms, and support systems that can foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment for women in hospitality.

13. Mr. Vishwas Mahajan. Guide: Dr. Sanjit Kumar Dash, Director, BITM, Sri Balaji Univrersity, Pune. Research Topic: Role of Mentorship in Start-Ups

Start-ups thrive on innovation and strategic guidance. Mr. Vishwas Mahajan’s work explores how structured mentorship influences entrepreneurial growth, learning, resilience, and long-term success. His study highlights mentor-mentee dynamics, capability building, and decision-making support—critical for India’s expanding start-up ecosystem.

14. Ms. Chinnu Rajan. Guide: Dr. Vivek Marathe
Co-Guide: Dr. Biju G. Pillai, Director, BIIB, SBUP & Dean, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Sri Balaji University, Pune. Research Topic: Digital Enablement of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Kerala

Technology-enabled empowerment lies at the heart of Dr. Chinnu Rajan’s study. Her work demonstrates how digital tools strengthen Self-Help Groups in Kerala by improving financial literacy, operational efficiency, collaboration, and access to opportunities. Her contribution aligns strongly with national missions on digital inclusion and women’s empowerment.

15. Ms. Kirti Bothe. Guide: Dr. Vivek Marathe
Co-Guide: Dr. Biju G. Pillai, Director, BIIB, SBUP & Dean, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Sri Balaji University, Pune.
Research Topic: Learner Engagement and Challenges in MOOCs for IT Professionals

In the age of digital learning, Ms. Kirti Bothe examines how IT professionals engage with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Her study focuses on learner motivation, course design, challenges, and completion factors. Her insights are valuable for educators, organizations, and ed-tech platforms seeking to improve online learning effectiveness.