A new chapter begins for Mahatma Gandhi University as the business community will support students in four-year degree programmes commencing from the next academic year in colleges affiliated to the University. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CTCCI) are set to join forces with MGU to bolster student success in the four-year degree programmes, bringing a wealth of experience and resources to support skill development, industry training, research, and entrepreneurship.

 

At the industry-academia meet held at the University, a consensus on this matter was achieved. Industrialists also expressed interest in taking further steps by evaluating the industrial potential of the patents received by the University. According to the agreement, the Business Innovation and Incubation Centre of the University will coordinate the activities of the industry associations and the academic community of affiliated colleges.

 

The four-year undergraduate programmes follow a system that allows students to organise their courses according to their current academic and career interests. Industry participation and cooperation of the industry are essential for the successful implementation of the initiative, particularly those focused on skill development training and internships.

 

The Confederation of Indian Industry is currently collaborating with the University across multiple domains. One of the key areas of focus of this partnership is to ensure better employment opportunities for students through a series of job fairs, which will be organised in collaboration with the University’s Business Incubation Centre. In addition to this, the business community will also provide short-term industrial training as part of the course curriculum.

 

Students will have the opportunity to undertake internships as part of the M.Sc programmes in the University in industrial establishments affiliated with these organisations. During the inauguration of the programme, Dr. C.T Arvindakumar, the Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, highlighted the potential impact that proper understanding and training of students’ aptitudes could have on the development of the state within the next decade. He also emphasised the importance of the support of the business community in ensuring the successful implementation of the four-year undergraduate programmes, stating that their involvement would be invaluable.

 

Dr. K. Jayachandran, the Registrar, presided over the function. Philip Thomas, Regional Chairman, CII Kottayam, Rev. Dr. Abraham Mulamoottil, President, CTCCI, Dr. Radhakrishnan. E.K, Director of Business Innovation and Incubation Centre, Sarath Lal, Assistant Officer, District Industries Centre, Ajay George Varghese, Director, Bipha Drug Laboratories, K.J Thomas, Regional Vice Chairman, CII Kottayam, and Dr. A.S. Sumesh shared their perspectives. Principals of affiliated colleges, teacher representatives, placement cell coordinators, etc., participated.