As part of its ongoing initiatives to enhance industry-academia engagement, the HR Club of PiMSR organized a guest lecture on 18th September, 2025 for the MMS students specializing in Human Resources. The objective of the session was to expose students to the practical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HR functions and to help them understand the future readiness skills required by HR professionals in a tech-driven business environment. The session was led by Mr. Nilesh V. Thakkar, Head of HR at Rusan Pharma Ltd., who was warmly welcomed by the Executive Director Dr. Chandran of Pillai Institute of Management Studies & Research, New Panvel including the HR faculty team Dr. Krushna R. Sawant and Dr. Betty Sibil, along with members of the Placement Cell, before proceeding to interact with the students in the classroom. The session began with a welcome address by Ms. Rakhi Gupta, MMS HR student.
Mr. Thakkar’s session, titled “AI Tools Useful for Future HR Professionals & AI Tools Used by Top Companies in HR Functions,” offered deep insights into how leading organizations are leveraging AI across multiple HR domains. He discussed real-world examples of AI applications in recruitment, onboarding, virtual HR assistants, employee engagement, performance management, predictive analytics, and training. He demonstrated how platforms like Naukri.com and Zoho are incorporating AI to streamline HR workflows and enhance decision-making.
One of the most valuable takeaways for students was Mr. Thakkar’s emphasis on balancing technology with human empathy. He strongly advocated that while AI can significantly improve operational efficiency, it cannot substitute the emotional intelligence and people-centric approach that HR professionals must embody. He urged students to view AI as a powerful tool that complements, rather than replaces, the human element in HR.
The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mr. Avish Billawa, MMS HR student, appreciating the practical knowledge and strategic perspectives shared by the guest speaker. The session left students with a broader perspective on the integration of technology in HR, encouraging them to stay updated with industry tools while nurturing their human-centric skills for future success in the profession.
