IIMPACT 2016: "RE" - Reimagining Our Future
IIMPACT 2016 brought together visionaries and changemakers from the global IIM alumni community under the powerful theme of “RE” – an invitation to reimagine our future and reinvent ourselves in an ever-changing world.
What began as an evening networking event in 2005 had transformed by 2016 into a two-day global summit, drawing delegates from more than eight countries. The event marked a significant evolution with the launch of a digital platform designed to transcend the limitations of time and space, allowing the community to continue meaningful conversations long after the physical event concluded.
The summit featured nearly 30 visionary speakers who shared their perspectives on reimagination and reinvention, including alumni who had reshaped their careers and chosen different paths. The innovative “Imaginarium” showcase presented curated startups and technologies that were reshaping our world at that time.
“IIMPACT really is a platform which ignites minds and reignites the network.” – Alok Sharma, Convenor, IIMPACT 2016
IIMPACT 2016: Minister Heng Swee Keat
In his keynote address, Minister Heng Swee Keat shared his vision for “reimagining Singapore” through four key principles: retaining core values (integrity, resilience, work ethic), reinforcing Singapore’s strengths as a hub for talent and innovation, reaffirming the purpose of creating opportunities for citizens, and recognizing that every individual has a role in shaping the nation’s future. During the dialogue with DBS CEO Piyush Gupta, he addressed Singapore’s approach to innovation, inclusive growth, and strengthening Singapore-India economic collaboration.
“As we reimagine and reinvent ourselves for the future, we must retain our values, reinforce our strengths, and reaffirm our purpose. The pursuit of a better life will take reimagining and reinvention, but also a deep understanding of what has worked and holding firmly to it.”
“The purpose of economic growth is to create opportunities for our people. It is only in environments where people feel they have hope and opportunity that they will be motivated to stay, contribute, work hard, innovate, and create more opportunities for themselves and others.”
IIMPACT 2016: Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy
“Your child’s brain is not a sponge… it’s like a game of tennis. When the baby coos and you coo back to the baby and you respond, that’s what makes the child’s brain develop.”
Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy, a developmental pediatrician trained at Boston Children’s Hospital and founder of Umeed Child Development Center in Mumbai, shares her journey of working with children with developmental disabilities. She highlights the staggering statistics – at least 1 in 10 children globally have developmental disabilities, with the number reaching 1 in 6 in developing countries like India, affecting 53 million children nationwide.
Dr. Krishnamurthy emphasizes that early identification and intervention during the crucial first three years of life can significantly improve outcomes for these children. She explains how interactive engagement between caregivers and children is vital for brain development, sharing compelling neurological evidence of the impact of neglect on brain development.
Her work has expanded from a small clinic to serving 7,000 patient visits annually with a team of 62 professionals, while also focusing on capacity building by training healthcare workers and educators to reach vulnerable populations.
“I wake up every morning determined both to change the world and to have one hell of a good time, and sometimes that makes planning the day difficult.”
By The Numbers
Speakers
Ida A. Spoon
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