UBS, PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana organized first virtual international conference 

Chandigarh: University Business School, Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana organized first virtual International Conference on the theme World After COVID-19: Economic, Social and Political Transformations. Around 200 participants from far off places India, Nepal, South Africa, Australia and Oman participated in the International Conference and shared their research papers on various aspects related to the theme of the conference. Prof. Ravi Inder Singh, Director, Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana extended welcome to the guests and participants and introduced the theme of the conference.  
Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh presided over the inaugural session, Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana graced the Inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Prof. J.B. Nadda, Director, Consortium for Educational Communication, New Delhi and Prof. C.L. Chandan, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cluster University, Himachal Pardesh graced the ceremony as the Guests of Honour. Key note address on social transformation aspect was delivered by Prof. Herman Vander Merwe, Deputy Dean Planning and Development, North West University, South Africa and the Key note address on Economic Transformation was delivered by Prof. Lakhwinder Singh, Director, Centre for Economic Development and Innovation Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala.
Prof. Raj Kumar, honourable Vice Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh while presiding over the Inaugural session extended thanks to all the prominent personalities, he stated that the three aspects i.e. economic, social and political as stated in the theme of the conference can’t be separated and they move in association with each other. He stated that there is a very bright opportunity emerging out of the COVID-19 as many companies are moving out of china and India may be the next destination for their place of business. India will emerge as a land of opportunities.
Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Chief Guest, while speaking on the theme of the Conference stated that never ever in the history of mankind, such kind of disruption has been seen in the economic and social activities, alngwith the economic activities even the places of worship like Gurudwaras, Temples and Churches have been shut down. He stated that at present a series of serious questions emerging from the COVID 19 pandemic are perplexing the human mind like what will be the economic impact of COVID-19 on world as well as domestic economies. which country will emerge as the world super power. People are debating about the expected change in the international political scenario and the society post COVID-19.
Prof. J.B. Nadda, Director, Consortium for Educational Communication, New Delhi while speaking on the theme of the conference stated that automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and information technology are going to occupy a very crucial role in the Post COVID 19 era. With the passage of time, organisation structure will change and will take oval shape. He further expressed apprehension that since IT is going to occupy a very prominent role, it may erode our social values and culture. Over the last fews years, joint was breaking and importance of individualism was increasing but with COVID 19 coming in, we may move back to the joint family culture.  Prof. Nadda also talked about the impact of COVID 19 on federal structure of the country.
Prof. C.L. Chandan, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cluster University, Himachal Pardesh stated that the crisis is not yet over and he opined that it will have disastrous consequences. Its consequential impact on social and economic life is already visible. Already our social behavior has undergone change, he quoted the change in the scale and system of marriages and religious gatherings and he was of the view that it will continue like that. Prof. Chandan also talked about the job losses and change in the living style of people post COVID 19.
Post Herman Vander Merve, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business, North West University, South Africa while delivering his key note address talked about the importance of Entrepreneurship which may work as anti-virus to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof Lakhwinder Singh another Key Note Speaker, while delivering his Keynote address stated that countries should not focus on recovery only, rather the focus should be on sustainable recovery, he stated that the economic recovery post COVID 19 is going to shape a U shape cover, it will take time to grow.
A total of 90 papers were presented in the 8 technical sessions of the conference, researchers from South Africa, Australia, Nepal, Oman and India were presented in the conference.  The prominent personalities who chaired the various technical sessions in the conference were Prof. Sanjay Kaushik Dean College Development Council, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Prof. Upasana Joshi Sethi, Director, University Institute of Applied Management Sciences, PU, Chandigarh. Prof. Gurcharan Singh, Head, School of Management Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala. Prof. Jasveen Kaur, Head, University Business School, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.  Dr. Smita Sharma, Faculty, Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prof. Sukhdev Singh, Dean Research, CT University, Ludhiana.
Dr. Monika Kansal, Sr. Lecturer, Central Queensland University, Australia, Dr. Ankit Katrodia, Faculty, School of Economics and Business, North West University, South Africa. Prof. Gulshan Kumar, University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Dr. Nitin Arora, Faculty, Department of Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Dr. Ashish Saihjpal, Coordinator, MBA, University Business School, Ludhiana. Mr. Shashi Kapoor, Faculty, University Business School, Ludhiana. Dr. Shiv Kumar Dogra, Faculty, University Institute of Laws, PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana, Mr. Taranjeet Singh, Faculty, University Business School, Ludhiana, Dr. Rajneesh Saryal, Faculty , University Institute of Laws, PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana, Dr. Debajani Dhall, University Institute of Laws, PU Regional Centre, Ludhiana. Dr.Pooja Sikka, Assistant Professor of Economics and Conference Chair proposed the vote of thanks.