Collaboration for Growth: Industry-Academia Partnership Boosts Higher Education in India

The 18th Annual FICCI Higher Education Summit was held in Delhi from 28 November to 30 November 2023 to boost collaboration between industry and academia. This summit provided an essential forum for talks and deliberations targeted at empowering Indian higher education institutions to build a skilled workforce that is aligned with global industry needs. Participants at the two-day conference included executives of higher education institutions in India and overseas, students, teachers, and even individuals interested in business, presenting it as the ideal confluence of industry and academics.

"As we witness the transformative transition of global leadership from India to Brazil and then to South Africa, the ascending prominence of the Global South within the Group of 20 nations underscores its profound impact on the global stage," said Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). With its complex tapestry of economies, cultures, and communities, this diverse and dynamic region is crucial in altering development, innovation, and international relations paradigms.

She said, "The youth of today stands at the threshold of immense opportunity - it is their time to cultivate fresh ideas, showcase them at platforms like the FICCI Conference, and mould their beliefs into tangible reality."

A specific session on 'Advancing the Global Agenda: 

Universities as Key Partners in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals was held at the event. This part focused on how colleges can effectively align their teaching, research, and community involvement efforts with the SDGs. It highlighted universities' critical role in addressing complex socioeconomic and environmental concerns through coordinated multidisciplinary research and technological advances. The discussions emphasised the critical importance of partnerships and cooperation between educational institutions and various stakeholders, including NGOs, industries, and local communities, to achieve these objectives successfully.

Finally, the 18th FICCI Higher Education Summit sparked a commitment to positive change, paving the path for a future in which voices are heard, ideas flourish, and beliefs are realised.

Conclusion

The future of higher education in India depends on a collaborative approach that bridges theoretical learning within academic institutions with the practical demands of industry. Partnerships between industry and academics have emerged as a crucial driver in this endeavour, generating a symbiotic connection in which institutions provide students with essential skills and businesses gain access to a talent pool poised for success.