The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad recently kicked off its seventh annual Industry-Academia Conclave (IAC 7.0). This dynamic two-day event serves as a vital platform, bringing together influential leaders from both academia and industry to spark meaningful conversations and forge new partnerships.
A highlight of the conclave was the presence of former naval officer Vice-Admiral Srinivas Kalidoss, who delivered the keynote address. Mr. Kalidoss emphasized the critical need for industries to remain agile and adapt swiftly to the ever-evolving technological advancements, especially as India sets its sights on achieving the ambitious goal of a ‘Developed India’ (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
He passionately advocated that leading institutions like IITs bear the responsibility of nurturing graduates who are not just academically brilliant, but also fully prepared for the demands of the modern workforce. These graduates, he asserted, must possess the essential skills required to tackle the nation’s most pressing developmental challenges head-on.
Echoing this sentiment, IIT Palakkad Director A. Seshadri Sekhar also highlighted the paramount importance of industry readiness among students. Professor Sekhar commended IIT Palakkad’s proactive approach in meticulously crafting educational programs designed to align perfectly with current industry requirements and future trends.
Further demonstrating its commitment to practical application and innovation, IIT Palakkad has launched an innovative program. This initiative specifically encourages faculty members to collaborate directly with Indian industries on groundbreaking research projects that aim to solve real-world problems and drive impactful change.
The conclave also featured valuable insights from other esteemed speakers, including Academics Dean P. Athira and Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR) Dean Santhakumar Mohan, further enriching the discourse on strengthening industry-academia ties.