The international conference on “Manoeuvring Business, Society and Culture in the New World Order” at Government SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu, is a timely and serious call to rethink the role of education in a world that is changing faster than ever before. Inaugurated by Minister Sakeena Itoo, the two-day conference has brought together scholars, policymakers, administrators, researchers, industry experts and students to discuss issues that directly affect the future of society, economy and culture. Such platforms are necessary because narrow thinking or outdated academic approaches cannot handle the challenges of the new world order.
The minister’s emphasis on the transformative power of education carries a strong message. Education must not remain limited to degrees, certificates and employment preparation. It must shape responsible citizens, ethical leaders, innovative thinkers and socially conscious professionals. A society that wants progress must first strengthen its classrooms, colleges, and universities. If educational institutions fail to create critical minds and value-based leadership, then no amount of economic growth can create a balanced and humane society. The theme of the conference is highly relevant because business, society and culture are now deeply connected. Business cannot grow in isolation from social responsibility. Society cannot progress without ethical economic systems. Culture cannot survive if development becomes rootless and purely materialistic. The modern world demands growth, but it also demands sensitivity, sustainability and respect for identity. This is why academic institutions must encourage interdisciplinary thinking and prepare students to understand real-world complexities with confidence and clarity. Government SPMR College of Commerce deserves appreciation for organising a conference of international relevance. It has created a meaningful forum where local academic energy is connected with global intellectual exchange. The participation of experts from India and abroad adds depth to the discussion and gives students an opportunity to understand global ideas without losing sight of local realities. Such academic exposure is essential for Jammu and Kashmir’s higher education sector, which must move beyond routine teaching and become a centre of research, innovation and policy-orientated thought. At the same time, conferences should not become ceremonial events. They must produce ideas that can influence teaching methods, research priorities, entrepreneurship models, social policy and institutional reforms. The discussions on sustainability, tourism, technology, MSME learning, innovation and cultural resilience should be carried forward beyond the conference hall. Academic institutions must convert such deliberations into practical outcomes, including research projects, student innovation platforms, industry linkages and community-based studies. The call to integrate technology and innovation into education is both urgent and unavoidable. Students today need digital skills, research ability, entrepreneurial confidence and adaptability. However, technology must not be allowed to replace human values. The future of education should not be mechanical. It must be intelligent, ethical and inclusive. Innovation without morality can become dangerous, while tradition without openness can become stagnant. The real challenge is to balance modern tools with social responsibility. Cultural resilience is another important dimension of the conference. In the rush towards globalisation, societies often lose confidence in their own identity. Higher education must teach young people that progress does not require cultural surrender. A strong society embraces new ideas while respecting its roots. Jammu and Kashmir, with its rich cultural and intellectual heritage, must use education as a bridge between tradition and modernity, between local wisdom and global opportunity. The presence of students in such events is especially important. We must expose young minds to serious discussions beyond textbooks and examinations. When students interact with scholars, industry leaders and policymakers, they begin to see education as a larger mission. They understand that learning is not only about personal success but also about contributing to society, the economy, and nation-building.
The new world order demands courage, creativity and conscience. It demands institutions that can question, innovate, and guide. It demands teachers who inspire, students who think and systems that support research and reform. The conference at SPMR College has sent a clear message that education must lead from the front. If Jammu and Kashmir’s colleges and universities continue to nurture such thoughtful academic engagement, they can rise beyond traditional classrooms and become living centres of knowledge, dialogue and transformation, shaping a future rooted in inclusion, cultural confidence and innovation-led progress.