Written by Athulia T Rajesh: Four MBA International Business students from MAHE Dubai, accompanied by two faculty members, participated in Bizzora 2.0 – the annual international business conclave hosted by GloBizz, the International Business Forum of T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), Manipal, India. Held on 31 January 2026 and 1 February 2026, the conclave centred on the theme “The Elephant Moves – India’s Strategy on the Global Chessboards.”
Designed as an immersive platform for global business learning, Bizzora 2.0 brought together students, academicians, and industry leaders through panel discussions, guest lectures, simulations, competitions, and networking sessions, offering hands-on exposure to geopolitics, international markets, and strategic decision-making in today’s rapidly shifting global environment.
MAHE Dubai delegation
The MAHE Dubai student delegation was selected through a faculty-led screening process based on a 500-word reflection, evaluated for thematic relevance, clarity of thought, interest in international business, and the ability to represent MAHE Dubai meaningfully at the conclave.
Students – MBA International Business
Ms. Athulia T Rajesh
Mr. Sadiq Shaikh
Mr. Muhammed Anshad
Mr. Sejo Roy Thomas
Faculty
Dr. Praveen Gupta – Chairperson, Manipal Business School, MAHE Dubai
Dr. Subburaj Alagarsamy – Deputy Director (Research), MAHE Dubai
Day 1 – Arrival in Manipal and campus welcome
The delegation arrived in Manipal via Mangalore Airport, with the TAPMI student team extending a warm welcome and support for accommodation and campus orientation. Students and faculty were hosted within the TAPMI campus, with dedicated arrangements ensuring a comfortable stay and easy access to conclave activities.
Day 2 – Thought leadership, industry insights, and innovation challenges
Bizzora 2.0 opened with an address outlining the conclave’s objectives, followed by a welcome to distinguished speakers and industry leaders, including:
Mr. Vijay Shankar – Vice President, Ogilvy
Mr. Nikhil Bhushan – Chief Technology Officer, TATA Starbucks
Mr. Binil Balakrishnan – Senior Marketing Professional, Novo Nordisk
Mr. Shiv Kumar – Managing Director, Vermont Information Processing
A key highlight of the day was the panel discussion aligned to the conclave theme, where students engaged in an interactive exchange on global business dynamics, India’s positioning in the international arena, and the strategic implications of evolving economic alliances.
Another standout experience was Shark Tank @ Bizzora 2.0, where teams pitched innovative business ideas to industry experts. The activity tested participants on problem-solving, market viability, financial feasibility, and pitching skills, while also offering mentorship-style feedback. The MAHE Dubai student team participated together, gaining actionable inputs on strengthening business models, refining value propositions, and identifying overlooked gaps.
The day concluded with the IB Dinner – “Daawat-e-Dosti”, a round-table networking evening that enabled meaningful conversations with industry leaders in a relaxed setting. In parallel, students also witnessed the vibrant cultural energy of TAPMI’s fest, adding a memorable campus-life dimension to the overall experience.
Day 3 – Guest sessions, India–UAE trade focus, and TAP-MUN 2.0
The final conclave day began with guest lecture sessions, including an address by Mr. Naveen Bhadada, Chief Finance Officer, Sugar Cosmetics, who spoke on the strategic value of networking in building long-term career capital.
MAHE Dubai faculty then led an interactive workshop focused on trade relations and the future of India–UAE economic ties, connecting academic insight with real-world geopolitical and commercial realities. The session encouraged students to evaluate bilateral opportunities through the lens of policy shifts, sectoral growth, and global supply chain reconfiguration.
Later, students participated in TAP-MUN 2.0, a Model United Nations simulation designed to replicate real UN proceedings. Delegates represented countries, formed alliances, and debated policy matters through structured diplomacy and formal protocols. For many participants, it was a first exposure to high-intensity diplomatic negotiation and international relations in practice.
Day 4 – Manipal institutional visit and future collaboration opportunities
Beyond the conclave, the delegation explored the Manipal Headquarters and the MAP Museum, including the Experience Centre, which showcased the Manipal legacy across education and healthcare, along with its future-focused emphasis on innovation, research, and international collaboration.
The visit concluded with an interaction with the GloBizz student committee, recognising their professionalism and end-to-end execution of the conclave. MAHE Dubai extended an invitation for the team to visit the Dubai campus, while also discussing potential avenues for future collaboration and joint student-led initiatives.
Building momentum at MAHE Dubai
Reflecting on the experience, the MAHE Dubai student team noted that the conclave offered industry exposure, mentorship, pitching practice, and diplomacy-based learning, along with meaningful peer connections across campuses.
As a direct outcome, the students also expressed motivation to initiate a student-led industry engagement community at MAHE Dubai – focused on inviting industry leaders, conducting workshops and competitions, strengthening networking opportunities, and enhancing real-world managerial skills for business students.
Athulia T Rajesh (MBA International Business, 2025 Batch) shared that representing MAHE Dubai at a professionally curated international conclave was a standout milestone – one that combined learning, mentorship, and long-term inspiration for student-led engagement back on campus.
