Bharathidasan University will conduct a series of programmes during July-August to strengthen connect between institutional capabilities and industry expectations, Vice-Chancellor K. Meena said on Friday.
The three-day ‘train the trainers' programme through a tie-up with ICTACT (Information and Communication Technologies Academy of Tamil Nadu) from July 14 to 16 for administrative staff and teaching faculties in affiliated colleges will be followed by Corporate Meet, an interactive session with industry representatives to know their exact expectations from institutions. In the first week of August, off-campus recruitment will be conducted with support from the NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies), Ms. Meena said, launching the ‘Campus to Corporate' initiative jointly organised by NASSCOM and TalentPro India, a leading Human Resources Outsourcing Solution provider.
Institutions were in the process of conforming to industry expectations by designing curriculum fit to prepare graduates for placement; developing their communication and soft skills; and motivating students to equip themselves to industry requirements by imparting training and providing exposure through conduct of competitions and product exhibitions, she said, adding that presence of industry representatives in Boards of Studies helps in introducing courses to satisfy industry requirements.
The Vice-Chancellor requested industries to establish incubation and training centres to generate employable manpower; conduct ‘train the trainers' workshops; start training centres for developing communication and soft skills; and expose students to industries through visits and internships to understand industry standards and practices. She advocated setting up of research laboratories by confederation of industries and institutions, and project development laboratories exclusively by industries. The university will soon establish a research consortium in a specific area in Computer Science would be established for the benefit of faculties, research scholars and students, she informed. In his inaugural address, K.Purushothaman, Regional Director, NASSCOM, said that IT and ITES provide maximum employment opportunities . When companies like HCL and WNS have set sight on Tiruchi as a low-cost destination, the onus was on institutions to tap opportunities and create required manpower. He advised institutions to leverage the advantage of ICTACT to develop corporate lifestyle and shape students for industry. He advocated the coming together of industry bodies, institutions and service organisations to launch an IT initiative on the lines of Calicut IT Initiative, to showcase Tiruchi as a promising IT destination.
Launch of Campus to Connect initiative was conceptualised in the context of the need to enhance self-confidence of students to market their skills, the increasing inclination of companies to recruit students from arts and science colleges as well; and maximising employability through specific training modules, P.S.Srikumar, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, TalentPro India, said.
