• Introduces Project Management Specialization for Engineering and Management Students
• Offers over 50 hours of blended learning, combining classroom instruction with online modules to build industry-ready skills
• Aligns with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and supports the National Education Policy (NEP) through industry-integrated, experiential learning

PUNE: Philips announced a strategic academic collaboration with Indira University, Pune, and MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, to introduce a comprehensive Project Management specialization within their undergraduate engineering and first-year MBA curriculum. The launch took place across both campuses.

This initiative addresses a critical gap in technical education, where only a very limited number of institutions currently offer Project Management specializations, despite steadily growing demand for skilled project management interns and early-career professionals.

Through this partnership, Philips aims to strengthen the education-to-industry pipeline by integrating practical, leadership-oriented, and future-ready project management competencies aligned with widely recognized industry best practices. The initiative reinforces Philips’ commitment to nurturing talent with depth, applied learning, accountability, and behavioral excellence, all of which are essential attributes for successful project managers.

The program will initially be implemented across the two partner universities, with plans to expand to additional institutions soon. The specialization includes 50 hours of classroom and online training, delivered jointly by university faculty trained in project management and supported by Philips experts. Philips will also share course content with the universities, enabling trained faculty to deliver the program effectively within their existing academic structure. To enhance industry exposure, Philips Project Managers will conduct quarterly guest lectures at both campuses.

The initiative aligns closely with the Skill India Mission and supports the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), both of which emphasize strong industry–academia collaboration and the integration of experiential, skills-based learning into higher education. By equipping engineering and management students with industry-ready project management skills, the collaboration enhances their employability and prepares them for the evolving needs of the future workforce.

The specialization is expected to significantly improve internship and job prospects for students, not only within Philips but across organizations and industries. As project management is a critical competency applicable across departments and domains, graduates will be well-positioned to pursue a broad spectrum of roles in engineering, product development, operations, technology, and other project-driven environments.

Rohit Sathe, Head, Healthcare Innovation Center, Philips, said, “At Philips, we believe in empowering the next generation of professionals with the skills needed to lead complex and impactful projects in India’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape. Our collaboration with Indira University and MIT Art, Design & Technology University brings industry-grade project management learning directly to students, enabling them to build confidence, leadership, and real-world readiness from early in their academic journey.”

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Anagha Joshi, Vice-Chancellor – Indira University, Pune, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Philips on this transformative initiative. Integrating industry-aligned project management skills into our curriculum will significantly enhance our students’ readiness for real-world challenges and open new pathways for their professional growth.”

Dr. Magesh Karad, Executive President, MIT Art, Design & Technology University, Pune, added, “We are proud to leap into global excellence. This partnership marks a major step forward in strengthening industry-academia synergy. The introduction of a structured project management specialization will equip our students with highly sought-after competencies and prepare them to excel in dynamic and complex project environments.”

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During this discussion, the Vice Chancellor of SBUP Prof. (Dr) G.K. Shirude highlighted the importance of research and teaching. He said, “In Higher Education, it is not only the incentives or promotions that will work to motivate, but it is about generating self-interest in research. Here we have to insist more on assisting teachers every five years in terms of the contribution made in their domain area, not only in books or reports but ideas which will be more useful in teaching that also matter more. Otherwise, research will be the one side and teaching will be the other side. Rather, research should be complementary. While teaching in the classroom, teachers should be able to reflect on some ideas that will ignite and enrich the students’ strengths related to future goals.”

The Director General of CIPU R. Karthik has elaborated on the functioning of CIPU, its objectives, the 12-point strategic framework of CIPU, upcoming initiatives and programs, CIPU leadership dialogues for the benefits of higher education, industry-academia collaboration, etc. Prof. (Dr.) Sandeep Sancheti, Convenor, CIPU National Committee on Research and Industry-Academia Collaboration and VP – Research Relations and Academic Affairs, Elsevier India. Also, he delivered a comprehensive presentation about the Elsevier-Ipsos report.

In this day-long discussion, various aspects of research work in the academic field, such as thought leadership reports, frameworks of evaluation, case studies, challenges ahead for the academic leaders’ and funders’ (priorities vs. preparedness), perspectives of funders, establishing research councils, embracing AI as an aiding tool, research papers, the role of technology, etc., were discussed.

In his concluding remarks, SBUP Chancellor Prof. B. Paramanandhan said, “Everything is changing today at a fast pace, and we should be relevant in today’s world. We should look at the content we are developing. I would suggest starting something in research works about our nation. We can collaborate, provide opportunities to the universities, and put our faculty members into research papers on topics relevant to India.”

About the Elsevier-Ipsos report – From April to December 2023, Elsevier worked with Ipsos to conduct two phases of interviews with a total of 115 institutional leaders from around the world – 86 held top-level leadership positions at universities (‘academic leaders’) and 29 at research funding bodies (‘funders’) to create this report and has made an attempt to find out opinions on issues like research, funding, human capital, education, institutional culture and  Political, technological and regulatory environment.

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The showcase, held on Friday,26 April, facilitated invaluable connections between academic professionals and key stakeholders, with a focus on promoting New Zealand as a premier destination for higher education. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage directly with representatives from top-ranked New Zealand universities and institutions, and esteemed government officials from Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao.

The event commenced with a dynamic half-day conference, which aimed to underscore the exceptional quality of education offered in New Zealand. Discussions centered on fostering potential collaborations and partnerships between educational institutes in India and New Zealand, highlighting the mutual benefits of international cooperation in academia.

Following the conference, an exclusive education fair unfolded, drawing over [number of attendees] students from across Pune. The fair provided a platform for students to interact with university representatives and receive personalized counseling from the expert team at New Zealand Gateway. Led by three renowned licensed immigration advisers, immigration and education experts attendees received guidance on selecting study abroad courses tailored to their academic interests and career aspirations.

Senior representatives from Pune-based institutions, including Ajeenkya DY Patil University, MIT World Peace University, MIT World Peace Schools, The Lexicon Group, Vishwakarma University, Trinity Junior College, MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School, Vibgyor Group of Schools actively participated in the showcase, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering global academic connections and providing students with access to world-class educational opportunities.

“Discover Excellence: New Zealand Education Showcase” exemplifies New Zealand Gateway’s dedication to promoting international education and facilitating meaningful partnerships between India and New Zealand. By showcasing the diverse range of programs offered by New Zealand universities Pūkenga and institutes, attendees gained firsthand insights into the enriching academic opportunities available across various disciplines.

 “We are thrilled to have facilitated this collaborative platform that brings together educational leaders from India and New Zealand,” remarked Sandeep Jani, Founder of New Zealand Gateway. “The enthusiastic response from Pune’s academic community underscores the growing interest in New Zealand’s educational offerings and the potential for impactful partnerships.“

“The success of this event highlights the growing synergy between India and New Zealand in the realm of higher education. Initiatives like the Discover Excellence: New Zealand Education Showcase, contribute towards strengthening educational ties between both countries whilst empowering students to pursue academic excellence on a global scale“, noted Ms. Jugnu Roy, Director of Engagement, East Asia and India

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MUMBAI: The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has successfully concluded its inaugural EdTech Trade Mission to India 2024, which took place from 26 February to 1 March  2024. This ground-breaking initiative was designed to tap into India’s rapidly expanding online education market and to foster partnerships that enhance collaboration between Australia and India.

The mission provided a dynamic platform for Australian EdTech companies, universities, and training organizations to deepen their understanding of the Indian online education landscape and the EdTech ecosystem. By engaging with key stakeholders, potential collaborators, investors, and clients, the mission facilitated meaningful discussions and networking opportunities.

A highlight of the mission was the participation in the India Digital Summit 2024 (IDS) held in Mumbai on 27 and 28 February 2024, which offered Australian delegates invaluable networking opportunities. 15 delegates from 5 Australian EdTech organisations and 3 Australian Universities joined the mission’s itinerary which included visits to Mumbai and Bengaluru. These cities were chosen for their vibrant ecosystems and as representative of the opportunities available for Australian entities looking to expand into the Indian market.

Dr. Monica Kennedy, Senior Trade and  Investment Commissioner at Austrade, commented: “The Australian EdTech Trade Mission to India 2024 was a resounding success, creating a unique platform for Australian companies to explore the Indian market and establish connections. The engagement and partnerships formed during this mission are a testament to the synergies between the Australian and Indian EdTech sectors.”

The EdTech Trade Mission 2024 has laid a solid foundation for future collaboration between Australian and Indian EdTech innovators. As demand for innovative educational solutions continues to rise in India, Australian EdTech firms are well-positioned to meet this demand. Austrade remains committed to supporting Australian companies in navigating the Indian market and seizing the opportunities for growth and collaboration that lie ahead.

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