International Conference on Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability (FIEIS-2025)

Organized by:

• Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE),
• School of Tribal Resource Management (STRM),
• Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

About KISS Deemed to be University

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) was established by a renowned educationist and philanthropist, Prof. Achyuta Samanta in the year 1992-93 with a view to imparting quality education to the marginalized tribal children from Standard I to Post Graduation as well as Doctoral level research absolutely free of cost in a residential set up. Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences has been accorded Deemed to be University status under De Novo Category by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), now Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India in August, 2017 under Section 3 of UGC Act 1956. In a subsequent notification, the University has been granted extension to function as a Deemed to be University. It has been accredited for five years in its first cycle with ‘A’ Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2024. It has emerged as a ground breaking institution dedicated to the empowerment, education, and upliftment of Indigenous communities through quality education and comprehensive support for holistic development.
It believes in infusing inclusive growth, emphasizing sustainability, community engagement, and cultural preservation. The university’s dynamic ecosystem encourages faculty and students to actively contribute to Indigenous knowledge and contemporary issues, ensuring impactful education and research.

The University has introduced seven Schools in the first phase to provide impetus to research in the areas of tribal economy and resource management, indigenous knowledge systems, heritage, culture, tribal indology, languages and literatures. Besides implementing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals in its true sense, KISS has been able to bring about much needed social changes in the fields of inclusive education, women empowerment, tribal uplift and sustainable development in tribal areas of Odisha and its neighbouring states.

Collaborators

Centre for Indigenous Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE)

With an endeavor to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, faculty, and alumni, the Centre aims to transform business ideas into reality by developing individual talent, skills, and personality. It provides a supportive entrepreneurial environment that accelerates the development of start-up companies through various resources and services. The main goal of CIIE  is to  successful indigenous entrepreneurs that are financially viable and independent.

The Centre endeavors to sustain that ethos through its initiative of organizing an international conference on the broader theme of “Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability” involves a multidisciplinary approach, addressing legal, economic, ethical, and technological dimensions. It requires collaboration between governments, indigenous communities, legal experts, researchers, and international organizations. The ultimate goal is to create a framework that not only protects but also empowers indigenous communities, ensuring their knowledge systems are respected, preserved, and utilized in ways that benefit them directly.

School of Tribal Resource Management (STRM)

The School of Tribal Resource Management, KISS Deemed to be University, was established in 2017-18, to address the current and emerging tribal development needs of the country. The School actively endeavors to equip its academic programme to measure up to quality standards with impetus on National Education Policy – 2020. KISS Deemed to be University is the pioneer in the niche area of tribal resource management and upholds the credit of being the first full-fledged institution in this domain in the country.

Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC)

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of KISS Deemed to be University has been putting in efforts to upload and execute programmes ensuring high quality of education and research output. It pursues a multi-stakeholder consultation approach in which students, faculty, staff, and external experts as well as alumni play a meaningful role. The IQAC has been functioning with a vision to ensure quality at every level of the University activities and in order to achieve this, the Cell follows a strict method of quality control by putting a system in place to monitor all the initiatives taken up by the University.

About the Conference

FIEIS-2025 focuses on India’s transformative journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with a specific emphasis on fostering sustainable business practices. As sustainability becomes an integral part of global development goals, this event will explore how Indian businesses can lead the way in balancing economic growth with environmental and social responsibilities. It will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academicians, and innovators to chart a course for sustainable and inclusive development. The centenary year of India’s independence marks a critical juncture for the nation’s economic, environmental, and social evolution. Achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) requires integrating sustainability into every aspect of business and commerce. The CIIE, STRM and IQAC are hosting a two-day International Conference on “Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability” to bring together leading academicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and organizations to share their experiences and research findings. This conference will provide an interdisciplinary platform to discuss recent innovations, trends, and challenges in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Objectives of the Conference

• Explore how sustainable business practices can contribute to achieve economic, environmental, and social goals.
• Bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to create actionable policy reforms and incentives to promote sustainable practices.
• Identify and propose innovative solutions for pressing challenges such as climate change, resource management, and social inequality through sustainable practices.
• Equip Indian businesses with tools and strategies to align with global sustainability standards and enhance their international market presence.
• Develop a long-term framework for monitoring, evaluating, and achieving sustainable development goals in alignment with India’s vision for 2047
• Discuss the role of innovation and incubation in entrepreneurship in institutions.
• Devise strategies for building sustainable business models. Create awareness about government support and industry-academia linkage in promoting entrepreneurial culture.

Outcomes of the Conference

The international conference endeavors to meet the following proposed outcomes:

• Provide a platform for more meaningful collaborations and partnerships
• Contribute towards Actionable Policy Reforms and Incentives
• Provide a platform for brainstorming of innovative solutions towards pressing challenges
• Contribute towards long-term framework for Sustainable Development Goals and increase global competitiveness
• Contribute to the existing knowledge-bank and knowledge creation

 These outcomes aim to create a lasting impact by fostering an environment conducive to sustainable and inclusive growth, empowering women, and addressing pressing global challenges through innovation and collaboration.

Call for Papers

Track 1: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0 in Indian Enterprises
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in India: Opportunities and Challenges
• Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in India
• Innovation and Sustainability through Entrepreneurship
• Educational Institutions and Skill Development in Fostering Entrepreneurs
• Global Expansion and Regional Development of Indian Startups
• Emerging Sectors and New Models in Entrepreneurship
• Innovation for Social Impact

Track 2: Technological Innovations

• Digital Documentation and Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge
• Technology and Intellectual Property Protection
• Innovations in Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• Women in Technology: Innovation, Leadership, and Cultural Intelligence
• Mobile Technology as a Catalyst for Women’s Empowerment
• Indigenous Technology and Economic Empowerment of Rural Women
• Gender Equality and Youth Identity in the Digital Age

Track 3: Sustainability (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership)

• Women and Sustainable Development (Socio-Economic and Environment)
• Climate Change, Migration and Women
• UN Sustainable Development Goals and Local Development
• Economic Growth and Gender Equality
• Gender Base Budgeting
• Workplace Participation
• Environment Education
• Employment and Women Empowerment
• E-Governance For Women Empowerment
• Evolving Role of Men towards Empowering Women at Grass Root Levels
• Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry
• Tribal Entrepreneurship in Traditional Art and Crafts

Track 4: Economic and Ethical Dimensions of Indigenous IPR

• Commercialization of Indigenous Knowledge
• Consent and Participation in Knowledge-Sharing and Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms
• Challenges of Patenting Traditional Knowledge
• Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment
• Comparative Analysis of Indigenous IPR in Different Countries
• Future Trends in IPR Protection for Indigenous Communities
• Role of International Organizations in Promotion and Support for Indigenous Communities
• Vision for Sustainable Development and Indigenous Rights
• Ethical Approaches to Research on Indigenous Knowledge
• Balancing Economic Interests and Cultural Rights
• Cultural Sovereignty and Food Security
• Biopiracy and Economic Justice

Track 5: Generative AI and Entrepreneurship

• AI driven business models and startups
• AI assisted products and service innovation
• AI in indigenous and grassroots entrepreneurship
• AI as an enabler for women-led startups
• AI-driven strategies for gender -inclusive innovation
• AI for sustainable for sustainable business solution
• AI for Upskilling women entrepreneurs
• The future of AI-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems

Multi-disciplinary Research on Entrepreneurship

Scholars and Academicians having interest in multidisciplinary research on entrepreneurship and innovation can submit their research work.

Publications and other Opportunities at the Conference

Accepted papers will be published in the proceedings of the conference. An edited volume of selected conference papers shall be published by a publication of repute. Best paper award for each track category. The category will be divided into two segments – A and B category.

• Category A includes academicians, researchers, policy makers, industrialists, consultants and scholars
• Category B includes Undergraduate and Post Graduate Students.

The papers submitted to the conference for possible publication should not exceed plagiarism threshold of 15% (inclusive of AI generated text).

Guidelines for Abstract and Full Paper Submission

Original and unpublished research papers covering various sub-themes of the conference are invited. All the submitted papers will undergo a blind review process for acceptance.

• The author(s) are required to submit their full paper within 4,000–8,000 words including the abstract in a paragraph of maximum 200 words.
• The author(s) need to provide maximum 5 keywords.
• Paper should be in MS word,
  • font style – “Times New Roman”,
  • font size -title-16pt,
  • sub-title- 14pt,
  • Body and texts-12 pt
  • line spacing -1.5,
  • Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides with APA style of referencing.
• The author(s) needs to submit the abstract and full paper file in MS Word along with proof of payment details at the time of registration to be made through conference website.
• Abstract Format
  • Purpose
  • Methodology
  • Empirical or theoretical results
  • Social implications
  • Keywords
• Full Paper Format
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review
  • Research Gap
  • Research Objectives and Hypothesis
  • Methodology
  • Analysis and Interpretation
  • Major Findings, Suggestions and Conclusion

Indicate the sub-theme addressed

To facilitate blind review of abstract paper, the cover page should include the title of the paper, author’s name(s), email id, contact number, affiliations and ORCID. The sheet containing the abstract should not contain any identifying details.

The abstract/paper should be submitted both as a .doc/.docx files and named as ‘surname_theme’.

Paper Presentation Mode

All the accepted papers can be presented via oral (online/offline) or poster presentation mode. The author presenting the paper in online mode shall be issued e-certificate.

For poster presentations, the dimensions of the poster should be 4 feet in height and 3 feet in width.

Important Timelines

• Abstract Submission Closes: 22 June 2025 (22:00 IST)
• Full Paper Submission Closes: 22 June 2025 (22:00 IST)
• PPT for Presentation Closes: 10th July 2025
• Registration Closes: 15th July 2025
• Outcome of the work submitted (acceptance/rejection) shall be notified by email by 30th June 2025.

Paper should meet the highest standards of professional ethics, be original and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.

Registration Details

Who can participate?

Academicians, Research Scholars, Students, Entrepreneurs, Business Leaders, Representatives from Civil Society and Business Associations and other interested individuals

Registration Fees

The registration fees include conference kits, certificates, breakfast, high tea, and lunch (online presenters and participants will be issued e-certificates).

The Registration fees for the Conference is on the basis of per paper submission. However, the category of fees will be based upon category of author(s) or co-author(s) involved in a single submission.

The Conference is intended to be conducted predominantly in a face-to-face format. However, provisions for a virtual mode will be arranged under special circumstances.

The registration fee for the conference is exclusive of the publication and proof-reading fees (Springer – ₹5,500/- or Edited Book Series –₹500/-), which is to be paid by the author(s) upon their paper being selected for publication by the editor of the books as per the applicable category of publication.

Accommodation

Outstation paper presenters will be provided accommodation on payment basis only. They are expected to give prior information.

Payment Details for Conference Registration

For Publication and Proof-Reading fees: bank account details will be provided separately to the selected author(s) whose final papers are selected for publication depending on the category of publication.

For registration and payment details submission kindly fill the link mentioned below:

• Brochure – Download
• Registration – https://bit.ly/fieis2025
• CMT submission link – https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/FIEIS2025
  • Here is a link to create the account: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/docs/help/general/account-creation.html
  • Here is a link for authors on how to submit a paper: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/docs/help/author/author-submission-form.html

Chief Patron
Professor Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder KISS & KIIT

Patron (s)
Prof. Amreswar Galla, Pro Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Debashis Bandyopadhyay , Vice Chancellor, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar

Advisory Committee
Dr. Prashanta Kumar Routray, Registrar, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Mrutyunjay Suar, Director General R&D, KIIT Deemed to be University,
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad
Prof. Padmaja Mishra, Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Jugal Kishore Mishra, Director, IQAC, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Gopal Krishna Panda, Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Jagannath Lenka, Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Prof. Swarnamayee Tripathy, Professor Emeritus, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
Dr. Ajay Surana, Professor, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan
Dr. Andrea Hathazi, Professor, Babes-Bolyai University, Romania
Dr. Jose Jesus Delgado, Professor, University of Malaga, Spain
Dr. Carlos Machado, Educational Advisor, Global Impact Institute
Dr. Gergana Rashkova, Professor, International Business School, Bulgaria
Prof. Bidhu Bhusan Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Odisha
Prof. Malay Kumar Mohanty, Former Registrar, Ravenshaw University
Prof. Sukanta Kumar Baral, Dean, Faculty of Commerce & Management, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU)
Prof. Kishore Kumar Das, Head & Dean, Department of Commerce, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha
Prof. Sabat Kumar Digal, Head & Dean, Department of Commerce, Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Dr. Rabindra Kumar Swain, Associate Professor, Head & Coordinator, Department of Commerce, Utkal University, Odisha

Organizing Committee
Convenor & Conference Director
Dr. Snigdharani Panda
Co-Convenors
Dr. Arpana Premi Lina Oraon
Er. Atul Nag

Organising Team
Dr. Ajay Kumar Nanda
Dr. Gopal Krishna Jena
Dr. Sanjeeta Kumari Devi
Dr. Anwesha Chakraborty
Mr. Barada Prasad Beura
Ms. Sangeeta Mishra
Ms. Ankita Rath
Ms. Rani Shaw

Academic cum Editorial Team

Dr. Snigdharani Panda
Track 1: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Parikshita Khatua
Dr. Liji Panda
Dr. Ch. Sudipta Kishore Nanda

Track 2: Technological Innovations
Dr. Shruti Sudha Mishra
Dr. Binita Nanda
Dr. Anita Pareek

Track 3: Sustainability (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership)
Dr. Disha Bhatt
Er. Atul Nag
Preeti Priyambada

Track 4: Economic and Ethical Dimensions of Indigenous IPR
Dr. Monalisa Mishra
Dr. Snehalata Das
Dr. Sushree Panda
Mr. Abhiraj Malliha

Track 5: Generative AI and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Sushanta Kumar Tarai
Dr. Kharbel Rout
Dr. Somanath Mishra

Multi-disciplinary Research on Entrepreneurship
Dr. Annada Sankar Dash
Mr. Amarendra Bhuyan
Mr. Rudrashree Ramayan Sasmal

Student Section Including Poster Presentation
Mr. Udayan Mohanty
Mr. Sasanka Prusty
Ms. Saurava Goswamy
Ms. Nibedita Dhal
Mr. Baikuntha Mishra
Ms. Shreelekha Priyadarsini

Contact Us

• Coordinator: Dr. Snigdharani Panda, Convenor & Conference Director, School of Tribal Resource Management, KISS Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024
• Email: [email protected] Phone: +91-9776246270 / 9437191774

The Microsoft CMT service was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.