Bengaluru, December 21, 2025: The 76th Annual Conference of the Indian Commerce Association (ICA), hosted by Garden City University (GCU) from December 19 to 21, 2025, culminated in a grand Valedictory Ceremony on December 21 with over 2500 delegates in attendance. The event, presided over by ICA President Prof. K.S. Thakur, celebrated three days of vibrant academic discourse, featuring one seminar, four technical sessions, and two endowment sessions. The ceremony welcomed distinguished chief guests: Prof. Shankaraiah, past president of ICA, Mr. Uttam Chordia, chairman of the Uttam Chordia Trust, and Mr. Christo Joseph, FRSA, Director of Strategy and Planning at GCU.
Prof. A Shankaraiah highlighted the extensive activities of ICA, emphasizing their critical relevance in today’s higher education landscape. He detailed the association’s contributions to fostering research, knowledge exchange, and professional development among commerce scholars. Mr. Uttam Chordia expressed his delight at the conference’s success and commended ICA’s robust academic initiatives. He underscored the essential role of such conferences in strengthening higher education, while addressing key challenges facing the sector in India. Mr. Chordia urged expert professionals, and intellectuals present to collaborate on a roadmap for solutions for these challenges. He also pledged his support for talent research initiatives in partnership with ICA.
Mr. Christo Joseph, Director – Strategy and Planning, Garden City University extended heartfelt thanks to Prof. Rame Gowda, Prof. Ramchandra Gowda, and Prof. Jayappa M for bringing this prestigious platform to GCU. He described it as the university’s significant contribution to the commerce fraternity, higher education in India, and the future generations.
ICA President Prof. K.S. Thakur praised GCU for hosting the conference in a highly meaningful, effective, and successful manner. He specially conveyed his sincere regards to the Chancellor Dr. Joseph V.G. and all his faculty, non-teaching staff, and students. And the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Conference Secretary Prof. M. Jayappa where he thanked every person whose direct or indirect efforts led to the success of this conference. This conference underscored GCU’s commitment to advancing commerce education and research, fostering collaborations that will shape the future of the discipline.
In a landmark moment, Prof. M. Jayappa was elected as the ICA President, serving until the 77th ICA Conference.
Profile – Prof. M. Jayappa
Prof. M. Jayappa is a distinguished academician, visionary administrator, and nationally respected leader in the field of commerce and higher education. With decades of exemplary service to academia and professional bodies, he brings to the presidency of the Indian Commerce Association (ICA) an exceptional blend of scholarly depth, administrative acumen, and institutional leadership.
A long-standing pillar of the ICA, Prof. Jayappa has earlier served as Executive Vice President and has been elected four times to the South Executive Committee, reflecting the deep trust and confidence reposed in him by the academic fraternity across regions. His sustained engagement with the Association underscores his commitment to strengthening commerce education, research, and professional collaboration at the national level.
Prof. Jayappa’s leadership credentials extend well beyond ICA. He has served with distinction as the Karnataka State President of the Principals’ Association and as Secretary of the Commerce and Management Teachers Association, where he played a pivotal role in academic coordination, faculty development, and policy advocacy. He has held the position of Special Officer in Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, and later served in the same capacity at Rani Channamma University, contributing meaningfully to institutional planning and academic reforms. An accomplished institutional leader, Prof. Jayappa served as Principal of RBANMS First Grade College, Bengaluru, a constituent college of Rani Channamma University, where he guided the institution through phases of academic consolidation and growth.
In alignment with contemporary reforms, Prof. Jayappa has played a crucial role in shaping the academic future of commerce and management education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, serving as the State Coordinator of the Commerce & Management Committee. His insights have been instrumental in aligning curriculum frameworks with national priorities and global standards. A prolific academic organizer, he has conceptualized and conducted numerous international, national, state, and university-level conferences, seminars, and workshops for commerce and management teachers, fostering scholarly dialogue and professional upskilling across the country. His academic stature is further affirmed by the Fellowships awarded by the Indian Accounting Association and the Indian Commerce Association, recognizing his sustained contributions to the discipline.
Prof. Jayappa has also served academia through key statutory and advisory roles—as an Academic Council Member of Surana College, Governing Council Member of several colleges in Bengaluru, and as Member and Chairman of Boards of Studies and Boards of Examiners at Bangalore University and various affiliated institutions. These roles reflect his deep engagement with curriculum design, assessment standards, and academic governance. His contributions have been widely acknowledged through awards and commendations from institutions across India, testifying to his influence, integrity, and enduring impact on commerce education.
With his vast experience, inclusive leadership style, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence, Prof. M. Jayappa’s presidency in Indian Commerce Association promises continuity with purpose, reform with responsibility, and leadership rooted in scholarship, service, and national vision.
