Event Report: Yoga Sangam 2025 Celebration of International Day of Yoga (IDY)

Date: 21st June 2025

Venue: VU Auditorium

Time: 7:00 AM – 08:30 AM

1. Introduction:
In celebration of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) and as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Yoga Sangam 2025 was successfully organized at Vishwakarma University, Pune on 21st June 2025. The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of Yoga for physical and mental well-being among students, faculty, and staff.

2. Objectives:

• To observe IDY 2025 in line with national initiatives.
• To promote the practice and philosophy of Yoga on campus.
• To provide experiential learning through expert-led Yoga sessions.
• To inaugurate the University’s new Yoga & Fitness Wing – “समत्व”

5. Highlights of the Event:

• Expert-Led Yoga Session: The session was conducted by renowned Yoga expert Ms. Apoorva Lele, who guided the participants through advanced Yoga practices, breathing exercises (Pranayama), and mindfulness techniques.
• Inauguration of “समत्व”: A major milestone of the event was the formal inauguration of the University’s new Yoga & Fitness Wing – “समत्व” which will serve as a dedicated space for holistic wellness activities.
• Felicitation: Ms. Apoorva Lele was felicitated for her valuable contribution by Prof. (Dr.) Yuvraj Lahoti, marking the University’s gratitude and recognition of her support.

6. Participation:

The event saw active participation from over 70 attendees, including students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and dignitaries. Attendance was recorded as per committee guidelines.

8. Outcomes & Feedback:
Participants expressed great appreciation for the well-structured session, engaging content, and launch of a dedicated Yoga wing. Many expressed their interest in future workshops and joining “समत्व” as regular members.

9. Conclusion:
Yoga Sangam 2025 successfully fulfilled its mission to foster a campus culture of wellness, discipline, and mindfulness. The inauguration of “समत्व” marks the beginning of a new chapter in the University’s health and wellness initiatives. We look forward to continued participation and activities under this banner.
Report Prepared by:

Dr. Chetan Chouhan
Convener – Yoga Sangam 2025
Director, Physical Education & Sports

Organised by

The Department of Travel and Tourism

In collaboration with

Center of Excellence for Sustainable Tourism Innovation and Research

Introduction

The tourism industry is undergoing a paradigm shift with emerging technologies like the Metaverse and Big Data shaping the future of smart tourism. The integration of these technologies enables immersive virtual experiences, real-time data-driven decision-making, and enhanced customer engagement. This Faculty Development Program (FDP) aims to equip educators, researchers, and professionals with insights and practical applications of these innovations in tourism management.

This FDP explored these cutting-edge technologies, discussed case studies, and provided hands-on training to empower participants with the skills to integrate them into research, teaching, and industry collaborations. Given the rapid advancements in technology, faculty need to stay updated and integrate these emerging tools and concepts into our curriculum to benefit our students and institution.

Primary objectives

• Understand the metaverse and its practical applications within the tourism industry.
• Explore the strategic use of big data for effective tourism management.
• Examine how integrating the metaverse and big data can drive innovation in the tourism sector.
• Develop participants' skills in applying these technologies to real-world tourism challenges.
• Facilitate networking and knowledge exchange between faculty and industry professionals.

FDP Dates: 13 – 17^th May 2025

FDP Time : 3:15pm - 5:15pm

Mode : Online

Audience: Faculties and research scholars from the domain of tourism, hospitality, aviation and other allied fields.

Registration fees:  300 INR

Organizing Team:

• Dr Chhabi Sinha – Dean, Humanities and Social Sciences (Organising chairperson)
• Dr. Aarti Suryawanshi - Head of Department, Travel & Tourism (Co-convener)
• Dr. Harshada Satghare - Faculty Member, Travel and Tourism (Co-convener)
• Mr. Remi Thomas - Faculty Member, Travel and Tourism (Organising Member)
• Mr. Nishant Sutare - Faculty Member, Travel and Tourism (Organising Member)
• Mrs. Madhavi Dachawar – Faculty of Science & Technology (Organising Member- Technical support)

Session details and resource persons:

Resource persons :

1. Dr H Sandhya

Dr. Sandhya H, Assistant Professor at Christ (Deemed to be) University, Bangalore, holds a Ph.D. in Tourism Management. A gold medalist during her studies, she has an extensive research portfolio with several SCOPUS-indexed book chapters and articles focusing on Smart Tourism, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Destination Competitiveness. Her notable works include publications on "Big Data and Artificial Intelligence for Destination Competitiveness," "Smart Tourism Narratives: Maturity Matrix and Digital Transformation," and "Virtual Horizons: AI, Metaverse, and Industry 4.0 Revolutionizing Tourism," among others. Her research emphasizes the strategic role of data analytics and Metaverse in designing resilient and competitive tourism ecosystems post-COVID-19.

2. Dr Ganesh Narkhede

Dr. Ganesh B. Narkhede is a distinguished academician and researcher at Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology, Pune. A post-doctoral fellow at Amity University, Dubai, he holds a Ph.D. from COEP Pune. His research expertise spans Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, sustainable manufacturing, and digital transformation of SMEs. His prolific output includes over 10 SCOPUS and WoS-indexed papers, notably on digitalization and sustainability, and he has actively explored how smart manufacturing and data-driven innovations reshape industries. His collaborative projects with Dublin City University and IIT Varanasi emphasize the darker side of Industry 4.0 and the socio-technical integration of Industry 5.0, aligning closely with smart and sustainable operational ecosystems that resonate with Big Data and Metaverse applications in tourism.

3,4. Dr. Sana Maidullah

Dr. Sana Maidullah is a Ph.D. in Humanities & Social Sciences from the Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Her areas of interest are Tourism Marketing, Smart Tourism Technology, Tourism Operation Management, Travel and Tourism Laws, Regulation, Tourism Entrepreneurship, and Marketing Research. She has presented various research papers at international conferences and published several research articles and book chapters in Scopus-listed national and international journals. She has participated in MHRD-UGC ePathshala Project for the subject PG English as Content Writer for one module titled ‘Consumer Cultures’ for Paper XVI [Cultural Studies] and finalized it for INFLIBNET. 

5. Dr Aruditya Jasrotia

Dr. Aruditya Jasrotia, Assistant Professor at Amity Institute of Travel & Tourism, Amity University Noida, specializes in Smart Tourism Destinations, Sustainable Tourism, and ICT interventions in tourism planning. A Ph.D. from Central University of Jammu, his doctoral research focused specifically on Smart Tourism Destinations in Himalayan cities. Dr. Jasrotia has authored over 15 SCOPUS-indexed papers and multiple ABDC-category publications on smart tourism, virtual tourism experiences, and technology adoption in tourism. His research on manifesting smart destinations, virtual reality in tourism, and post-COVID smart recovery strategies deeply engages with Big Data analytics and Metaverse concepts as tools for enhancing destination competitiveness and sustainability.

Rules and Regulations :

Participation is strictly by prior registration only.

All participants must complete the registration form and submit it before the specified deadline.

The participants must fulfil the following criteria to get the E-certificate:

-           80% attendance is mandatory

-           80% of assignments should be submitted

-           50% marks should be scored in the assignments.

The participants should fill out all feedback forms.

Session details:

Day 1 : Tuesday, 13^th May 2025                          

Resource Person: Dr H Sandhay

Her session on "Introduction to Metaverse and its Applications in Smart Tourism" was truly engaging and informative. Through well-curated videos and real-world examples, Dr. Sandhya simplified complex concepts, making it easier for all participants to grasp the future-forward potential of the Metaverse in tourism.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation, with a vibrant Q&A segment reflecting the curiosity and eagerness of attendees to dive deeper into this evolving domain.

Day 2 : Wednesday, 14^th May 2025                          

Resource Person: Dr Ganesh Narkhede

We were privileged to have Dr. Ganesh B. Narkhede, a distinguished academician and researcher from Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology, Pune, deliver an insightful session on "Big Data and its Applications in Tourism."

Dr. Narkhede not only explained the core concepts of big data but also provided valuable insights into how it can be leveraged for tourism research. The session featured hands-on demonstrations using tools like R, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix, which added great practical value for the participants.

Day 3: Thursday, 15^th May 2025

Resource Person:  Dr Sana Maidullah

The sessions on Metaverse and its application in smart tourism dealt with the details regarding different metaverse techniques like blockchain, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT), extended realities and their applications for smart tourism.

Day 4: Friday, 16^th May 2025

Resource Person:  Dr Sana Maidullah

The session on cases and applications discussed in detail case studies of the metaverse and smart tourism. The case study of the Marriott hotel is discussed in detail. It made the understanding easy for the participants.

Day 5: Saturday, 17^th May 2025

Resource Person:  Dr. Aruditya Jasrotia

The session had a discussion on emerging research avenues in smart and immersive tourism, Career opportunities shaped by Metaverse and Big Data applications, and Curriculum enhancement for aligning tourism education with Industry 5.0. covering future research areas in the domain of smart tourism. Through understanding future career paths, faculty can encourage their students to discover these career paths.

From understanding virtual tourism environments to leveraging data analytics for personalized travel experiences, the FDP equipped us with actionable knowledge to reimagine tourism education and research.

Participant details:

A total of 67 participants across India registered for the FDP. Among them, 47 completed all the criteria and received the certificate of completion. The participants were from different states of India like Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Thus, the FDP received an overwhelming response.

Organizing Body: Department of Travel and Tourism,Vishwakarma University,Pune

Date: April 16th and 17th, 2025

Event: World Heritage Day Celebration

Venue: Eventorium,Vishwakarma University,Pune and Tribal Museum,Camp,Pune

Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Participants: 20 

Faculty Event Coordinator: Mr. Nishant Sureshkumar Sutare

Student Event Coordinators: Ms.Vishi Jain and Mr.Aman Maske

Objective:

• Enhance Student Engagement: Design activities that actively involve students in learning about and appreciating India's cultural heritage, moving beyond passive observation.
• Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Foster a meaningful collaboration between the Department of Travel and Tourism and the Centre of IKS, showcasing the synergy between these fields.
• Increase Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity: Aim to deepen students' understanding and respect for the diverse facets of Indian heritage, including tribal cultures.
• Develop Practical Skills: Provide opportunities for students to develop tangible skills such as research, presentation, digital storytelling, and teamwork.
• Create Lasting Impact: Ensure the event leaves a lasting impression on students, inspiring continued interest in heritage and tourism.

Event Summary:

Vishwakarma University's Department of Travel and Tourism and the Centre of IKS collaboratively celebrated World Heritage Day on April 16th and 17th, 2025. The event featured an engaging exhibition of student projects on Indian culture and tourism, a creative reel making competition, and an insightful visit to the Tribal Museum, Pune. The activities successfully fostered cultural awareness and appreciation among students.

Activities:

Day 1 – Wednesday, April 16th, 2025

• a. Exhibition of Students' Projects (C2P2) at the Eventorium: This exhibition showcased the diverse and insightful projects created by students under the C2P2 initiative. These projects highlighted the richness of Indian heritage through visual and interactive displays, covering themes such as traditional art forms, architectural marvels, historical monuments, festivals, and indigenous practices. The aim was to deepen cultural awareness and provide experiential learning opportunities.

• b. Reel Making Competition: A platform for students to express their creativity and digital storytelling skills. Participants created engaging short videos (reels) centered on the theme of Indian Heritage and Tourism. Entries were judged based on originality, content relevance, visual appeal, and storytelling impact. Winning participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their achievements. This competition encouraged digital innovation and heritage awareness through modern social media formats.

Day 2 – Thursday, April 17th, 2025

• c. Visit to the Tribal Museum, Pune: Students embarked on an educational visit to the Tribal Museum in Pune. This visit offered a unique opportunity to gain insight into the lifestyle, customs, and cultural heritage of the tribal communities of Maharashtra. The aim of this activity was to sensitize students to the diversity of Indian tribal cultures and their significant contribution to the nation's intangible heritage, promoting inclusivity and respect for indigenous cultures through experiential learning.

Outcome:

• Increased Cultural Awareness: Students showed greater understanding and appreciation for India's diverse heritage.
• Demonstrated Engagement: The C2P2 exhibition highlighted students' in-depth exploration and creative presentation of heritage themes.
• Developed Digital Skills: The reel competition fostered digital storytelling and heritage awareness through modern media.
• Enhanced Cultural Sensitivity: The Tribal Museum visit provided experiential learning and promoted respect for indigenous cultures.
• Improved Heritage Knowledge: Overall, the event enhanced students' knowledge and appreciation for heritage conservation.

Name of the Event: One-Day Workshop on Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving for Career Growth

Organizing Body:

Department of Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computer Engineering, Vishwakarma University, Pune in collaboration with, Satkaam Foundation

Date of Event conduction: 11th March, 2025  

Venue: Classroom No. / Auditorium: Auditorium

Time: 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM

No. of Participants: 83

Faculty Event Coordinator: 

Convener

Dr. Kalias Patil, 

Dean, Science & Technology

Co-Convener

Dr. Reshma Pise

Dr. Pavitha Nooji

Workshop Coordinators:

Prof. Jayendra Jadhav, Faculty of Science & Technology

Prof. Richa Agnihotri, Faculty of Science & Technology

Objective: 

The workshop aims to empower participants with a comprehensive understanding of Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Articulation, and Inquisitiveness and their significance in the corporate world. Through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, attendees will develop essential skills to analyse situations logically, approach problems strategically, communicate ideas effectively, and foster a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning. Additionally, the workshop will provide insights into how these competencies contribute to professional growth, leadership, and decision-making in dynamic work environments. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with practical strategies to enhance their cognitive and communication abilities, preparing them to navigate challenges confidently and excel in their careers.

Event Summary:

The One-Day Workshop on Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving for Career Growth was conducted by the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Department of Computer Engineering, Vishwakarma University, Pune, in collaboration with Satkaam Foundation on March 11, 2025 at the VU Auditorium, Eco-Campus Building.

The workshop aimed to equip participants with critical thinking, problem-solving, articulation, and inquisitiveness skills. Through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, students learned how to analyze problems logically, develop strategic solutions, and enhance their communication abilities. The workshop emphasized the importance of these skills in career growth, leadership, and decision-making.

The sessions were led by Mr. Abhijit Bhide (Co-Founder, Satkaam) and Mr. Rahul Bhide (India Center Head & Director of Products, Mindbody). The event was coordinated by Prof. Jayendra Jadhav and Prof. Richa Agnihotri, with Dr. Kalias Patil (Dean, Science & Technology) as the Convener and Dr. Sandip Thite (Associate Dean, Science & Technology) as the Co-Convener.

Outcome:

• Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills – Participants developed a structured approach to analyzing and solving complex problems.
• Improved Problem-Solving Abilities – Attendees learned various frameworks for strategic decision-making.
• Effective Communication & Articulation – Students practiced articulating their ideas with clarity and confidence.
• Fostering Curiosity & Continuous Learning – The importance of inquisitiveness in professional growth was emphasized.
• Career Readiness & Leadership Skills – Participants gained insights into corporate expectations and leadership roles.