Fostering MSME-Academia Synergy for Sustainable Industry-Driven Skill Education – Webinar Report

On the occasion of World MSME Day 2024, Team NSN organized an insightful webinar on “Fostering MSME-Academia Synergy for Sustainable Industry-Driven Skill Education”. The session was designed to address perceptions about the MSME sector and explore actionable steps for enhancing collaboration between industry and academia in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Panelists

• (Dr.) R S Rathore, Dean Academics, Shri Vishwakarma Skill University
• Manish Kothari, Managing Director, Rhino Machines
• Rajesh A R, CEO, LabourNet
• Rajeev Sharma, AVP – Head Skill Development, JBM Group

The session was moderated by Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder-Director, NSN.

Objectives of the webinar

• To address the challenges and opportunities faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the current economic landscape.
• To provide a platform for industry experts, policymakers, and business owners to discuss strategies for fostering growth, sustainability, and innovation within the MSME sector.
• To offer practical insights and actionable advice to help MSMEs navigate the complexities of the market.

Key Points Discussed

Connecting academia and the industry from the perspective of MSMEs, guided by NEP 2020

Mr. Manish Kothari highlighted the significant gap between academia and industry, particularly MSMEs. He emphasized that while MSMEs are often perceived as less capable of contributing to education compared to large industries, this perception is not based on data. MSMEs possess vast skills, knowledge, and experience, making them crucial for improving education quality and bridging the industry-academia gap. He shared his experiences of engaging with universities across India, noting that MSMEs are vital in this dialogue, contrary to the focus on large corporations​​.

Prof. (Dr.) R S Rathore stressed the importance of practical exposure in education, noting that MSMEs are well-suited to provide such experiences. He suggested that academic institutions should not only collaborate with large corporations but also include MSMEs in their training and internship programs. By doing so, students can gain a more rounded education that includes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Also, Prof. Rathore emphasized the key guiding principles of the NEP 2020 and noted the importance of the National Credit Framework (NCrF), which removes hierarchies and facilitates horizontal mobility between different education streams.

Mr. Rajesh A R emphasized the need for systemic changes to better integrate MSMEs into the educational ecosystem. He suggested that policy frameworks should encourage and facilitate MSME participation in vocational training and higher education. Mr. Rajesh also recommended that academic institutions adopt flexible models to include MSMEs in their curricula, ensuring students receive diverse and practical training.

Dr. Rajeev Sharma highlighted the underutilization of MSMEs in India’s vocational and higher education sectors. He pointed out that while countries like Germany derive a significant portion of their GDP from MSMEs, India’s MSMEs contribute only 30%. Dr. Sharma advocated for integrating MSMEs into educational frameworks more effectively, from ITIs to skill universities. He proposed creating clusters of MSMEs to facilitate specialized training programs, which would provide students with comprehensive hands-on experience and entrepreneurial insights.

Action Points for a Sustainable Academia and Industry Collaboration

Mr. Kothari proposed that academia should introduce accountability measures to ensure the quality of student outcomes. He noted that both academia and industry should be held responsible for the educational and career success of students. By integrating MSMEs into the curriculum and holding them accountable for student training, a more balanced and effective education system can be developed.

Prof. Rathore echoed the importance of including MSMEs in educational programs. He advocated for forming advisory committees with MSME representation to provide real-world insights and expertise. Additionally, he suggested that institutions should organize regular visits and lectures by MSME entrepreneurs to expose students to practical business challenges and solutions.

Also read: Ideas for MSME-Academia Collaboration for Implementing NEP 2020

Mr. Rajesh A R highlighted the significance of creating continuous engagement platforms between academia and MSMEs. He proposed the establishment of industry-academia networks that facilitate regular interaction, knowledge exchange, and collaborative training programs. These networks would ensure that both sectors benefit mutually from shared experiences and innovations.

Dr. Sharma outlined two key action points: First, he recommended that academic institutions include skill training in their regular degree programs through micro-credentials and experiential learning opportunities. Second, he suggested that facilitating MSMEs in administrative processes, such as documentation for training schemes, could motivate them to engage more actively with students.

The webinar on fostering MSME-academia synergy underscored the critical role of MSMEs in enhancing industry-driven skill education. The discussions highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in how MSMEs are perceived and integrated into the education system. By leveraging the provisions of NEP 2020, adopting innovative training models, and fostering collaborative efforts, the potential of MSMEs can be fully realized. This synergy will not only bridge the gap between industry and academia but also equip students with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in a dynamic economic landscape.