Sustainable Industry-Academia Partnerships for Skill Education in India – Episode 3

In this mini-series from NSN, leaders from prominent Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) were invited to discuss the pivotal role of sustainable industry-academia partnerships in shaping India’s skill education landscape. This discussion aims to strengthen awareness about the opportunities presented by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and geared towards initiating innovative collaborations between academia and the industry.

Click on the link below to the previous episode of the Conversation:

Sustainable Industry-Academia Partnerships for Skill Education – Episode 1

Sustainable Industry-Academia Partnerships for Skill Education in India – Episode 2

In the third and the last episode, the discussion focused on ensuring the effective implementation of industry-academia collaboration, a concept still emerging in many educational institutions.

Key action points to make this engagement sustainable include:

• Developing structured partnerships that integrate real-world industry projects into academic curricula.
• Establishing regular feedback loops between industry and educational institutions to align training with current industry needs

Moderated by Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director of NSN, the dialogue featured insights from:

• Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, CEO, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI)
• Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)
• Mr. Ravikanth Yamarthy, CEO, Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC)

Here are some of the highlights from the episode. To watch the full episode, please visit our YouTube channel.

Sustainable Industry-Academia Partnerships for Skill Education in India – Episode 3

While discussing strategies for strengthening the connection between academia and industry, it was emphasized that integrating practical, hands-on experiences beyond traditional curricula is crucial. There is a need for educational institutions to stay updated on emerging sectors and actively engage with industry practices to make learning more relevant and impactful.

Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration

Dr. Abhilasha Gaur emphasized several strategies for strengthening the industry-academia connection:

• Industry Visits and Experiential Learning: Organize visits to manufacturing facilities to observe processes and integrate them into the curriculum.
• Alignment with Emerging Sectors: Update academic programs to include specialized courses in high-demand areas like VLSI design and IC packaging.
• Innovative Training Methods: Utilize mobile training vans and industry-based centers to provide practical experience.
• Faculty Development and Awareness: Conduct faculty development programs to train educators on new technologies and industry practices, including online resources for continuous learning.

Strengthening Industry-Academia Engagement in the Automotive Sector

Mr. Arindam Lahiri shared strategies for enhancing industry-academia collaboration in the automotive sector:

• Industry Visits and Internships: Implement short-term exposure programs and internships.
• On-Site Training Centers: Establish training centers within industry premises.
• Mobile Training Vans: Use mobile units for on-site training at educational institutions.
• E-Learning and Hands-On Training: Offer e-learning materials and practical sessions with industry-grade tools.
• On-the-Job Training Modules: Integrate on-the-job training modules into the curriculum.
• Internship Opportunities and Job Placement: Link course completion to internship eligibility and potential job placements.
• Long-Term Industry-Academia Partnerships: Develop sustainable partnerships between academic institutions and industry.
• CSR and Lab Setup: Encourage the use of CSR funds for setting up labs in educational institutions.

Innovative Approaches in Logistics Education

Mr. Ravikanth Yamarthy discussed innovative approaches to logistics education:

• Attracting Students to Logistics: Build educational pathways and introduce logistics early in education.
• Challenges in Logistics Education: Address the shortage of qualified faculty and curriculum mismatches.
• Innovative Practices in Education: Develop faculty through specialized programs and integrate logistics content within existing subjects.
• Self-Paced Learning for Post-Graduates: Offer self-paced courses through platforms like Moodle.

Addressing Trainer Gaps and Enhancing Skill Development

In addressing trainer gaps and enhancing skill development frameworks, the experts shared valuable insights:

Dr. Abhilasha Gaur noted, “Training trainers is essential before focusing on students. By partnering with industry experts and offering targeted programs, we can establish a strong foundation for quality education.”

Mr. Arindam Lahiri emphasized, “Proper training on new technology labs by equipment manufacturers is crucial. Additionally, practical, hands-on training through internships is effective in bridging skill gaps.”

According to Mr. Ravikanth Yamarthy, “Bridging gaps requires comprehensive faculty development programs and embedding practical processes into curricula. Innovative approaches, such as gamification and flexible learning modules, are also key in enhancing the learning experience and aligning education with industry needs.”

By implementing structured partnerships, incorporating real-world industry projects into curricula, and fostering continuous feedback loops, educational institutions can better align with industry demands and enhance the employability of students. These insights and strategies from sector leaders provide a roadmap for creating impactful and enduring collaborations that benefit both academia and industry.