Cambridge Uni. hosted an Industry-Academia Connect Conference in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Cambridge hosted a conference in Ahmedabad on February 1st, 2024, at the Radisson Blu, Ahmedabad, in collaboration with SCOPE (Society for Creation of Opportunities through Proficiency in English) and the Centre for Skill Development & Training (CSDT). This conference is part of a series that commenced in Chennai, proceeded to Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, and culminates in Bangalore. Themed “Innovate, Lead, Succeed: Corporate Expectations in the New Work Era,” the event convened key stakeholders from corporate organizations and higher education institutions to address the challenges encountered in recruiting fresh talent during campus placements.
The industries grapple with recruiting fresh talent during campus placements, facing hurdles in soft skills, communication, and language proficiency. Incomplete HR rounds reflect the struggle to find candidates aligning with corporate expectations. Concurrently, educators face challenges in preparing learners for the dynamic job market.
This conference addressed these challenges, emphasizing the need for holistic development. Institutions should prioritize not only robust technical skills but also nurture soft skills and effective communication. Bridging this gap requires tailored curriculum enhancements, industry collaborations, and experiential learning opportunities. The conference created a platform for concerted effort between industries and educationists that can cultivate job-ready graduates equipped with multifaceted skills for professional success.
The event featured four insightful panel discussions, while the key-note speech was delivered by Hon. Shri Banchha Nidhi Pani, IAS Commissioner of Higher Education, Govt. of Gujarat, and a plenary session by Mr. James Dingle, Head HE & Adult Portfolio Cambridge UK. Since there is a growing need for professionals to only possess academic excellence but also understand and navigate the intricacies of international practices, this platform gave an opportunity for key decision makers to rethink their strategies on how they can prepare their learners to suit the corporate expectations.
The panel discussions chaired by Vice Chancellors of top Government & Private Universities brought together Top HR leaders from Industry and leading Academicians to delve into topics such as developing future-ready talent, shaping graduates for the global stage, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for the challenges of the future workplace that demands a strategic alignment between academia and industry. Corporates, in their quest for top talent, are not only seeking academic excellence but also placing a significant emphasis on a diverse skill set and the ability to adapt to the rapidly changing work environment. Campus placement emerges as a strategic bridge, aligning academia with industry needs to ensure graduates possess the requisite skills and knowledge for a seamless transition into the global landscape.
The conference emphasized the importance of fostering strong ties between academia and industry to nurture job-ready graduates with multifaceted skills for professional success. The event was attended by more than 80 key senior leaders, such as Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans, Skill, and Placement Directors from renowned institutions across Gujarat, underscoring the critical role in bridging the gap.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment, India, has reaffirmed its dedication to tackling these challenges through facilitating collaboration between industries and educational institutions. As a testament to this commitment, a white paper has been crafted based on the insights gathered from panel discussions. This white paper offers actionable strategies that institutions can implement to equip their graduates with the skills necessary to thrive in the job market and become versatile professionals.
Top of Form
In the conference, Arun TK, Regional Director, Cambridge English, highlighted the commitment to be a catalyst for change in the employability landscape “While there is a negative view that only 1 out of 10 graduates are employable, Cambridge English wants to be part of the solution by enabling graduates to acquire world-class English language communication skills and certification that are accepted by top recruiters across India and the world. Many Universities signed up to partner with Cambridge English to create a Cambridge Learning Partnership in their campus to bridge the skills gap to not only improve their Employability quotient but also to enhance their international mobility to study abroad.
The conference also offers networking opportunities to reinforce the shared responsibility between academia and industry in cultivating job-ready graduates.
