Chennai, 4 September 2024 – L&T EduTech hosted its flagship event, Connect’24, at the L&T Convention Centre in Chennai on 4 September 2024, uniting leaders from academia and industry under the theme of “Nurturing Future-Ready Talent.” The event was a landmark moment in L&T EduTech’s mission to bridge the skills gap between academic institutions and the ever-evolving demands of the industry.
The event opened with a lamp-lighting ceremony performed by key dignitaries, including Dr C Jayakumar, CHRO, L&T; Dr Kanchana, Vice-Chancellor, VIT; Dr Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice-Chancellor, Manav Rachna University; Sanjai Ranganathan, Chief Executive, L&T EduTech; and MF Febin, Head of CollegeConnect Business, L&T EduTech. Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and industries in shaping future-ready talent.
Bridging the Skill Gap
Dr Anbuthambi B, Head of Strategy & Partnerships at L&T EduTech, welcomed the delegates, emphasising the importance of aligning academia and industry to address the skills gap. He highlighted that the event was a convergence of ideas from industry and academic leaders, all aimed at creating pathways for students to seamlessly transition from classrooms to careers.
The theme of bridging the gap was echoed by Sanjai Ranganathan, Chief Executive of L&T EduTech, who stressed the importance of initiatives like CollegeConnect, which partners with educational institutions to enhance student employability. He noted that L&T EduTech’s Workonnect provides enterprise solutions to upskill and reskill employees, ensuring they are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy.
Keynote Address: Emphasising Industry-Academia Synergy
The keynote address by Dr TG Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, highlighted the urgent need for higher education to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape. Dr Sitharam spoke about AICTE’s initiatives, including mandatory internships and hands-on learning experiences, which are aimed at making students more industry-ready. He also emphasised the importance of flexible learning models, such as the Academic Bank of Credits, to support lifelong learning.
Launch of Educate India
One of the event’s key highlights was the launch of Educate India, a groundbreaking platform by L&T EduTech aimed at revolutionising engineering education. Unveiled by SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman and Managing Director of L&T, the platform offers over 1,300 courses in cutting-edge areas such as autonomous vehicles, embedded tech and sustainability. Educate India is designed to make top-tier engineering education both accessible and affordable, with industry-recognised certifications tailored to learners’ needs.
The Role of Continuous Learning
Dr C Jayakumar, CHRO of L&T, delivered an insightful keynote reflecting on L&T’s transition from a construction giant to a leader in education and innovation. He emphasised that continuous learning and upskilling are key drivers of growth in today’s fast-paced world. Dr Jayakumar pointed out that industry-academia collaboration is vital to address the evolving demands of the workforce and enhance employability among graduates.
Panel Discussion 1: Exploring the Future of Learning
The Future of Learning panel, moderated by Anitha J, Head of HR at L&T EduTech, brought together distinguished panellists from both sectors, including Dr Rajul K Gajjar, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University; Dr Deependra Kumar Jha, Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna University; Dr Subramani R, Vice President, UPS India Tech Centre and Suman Mitra, CHRO, Saint Gobain. The discussion revolved around integrating AI, emerging technologies and preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. The panellists underscored the importance of embedding future skills in educational curricula to meet industry expectations.
Panel Discussion 2: Explore How ‘Bridging the Skill Gap’ Can Shape Tomorrow’s Workforce
At Connect’24, a dynamic leadership panel on Bridging the Skill Gap brought together leaders from industry and academia to tackle one of the biggest challenges today—equipping students with the skills to thrive in an evolving workforce. Moderated by MF Febin, the panellists—Lakshmanan M, CHRO, LTTS; Dr Joutishman Dutta, Managing Trustee, Assam Down Town University; Dr Kanchana Bhaaskaran, VC, VIT University; and Narayanan R, Partner & National Leader Education, KPMG—discussed how emerging technologies, core engineering disciplines and strategic industry-academia partnerships can bridge the gap between education and industry needs.
Panel Discussion 3: Fostering Dynamic Partnerships
Another interesting discussion at Connect’24 focused on Dynamic Industry-Academia Partnerships, moderated by Sreechand S, Head of Enterprise Solutions at L&T EduTech. Panellists, including Chetana Patnaik, CHRO of LTIMindtree; Dr Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor of SRM Institute of Science and Technology; Sabita J, CHRO, Market Simplified; Rajeshwari Natarajan, Head HR of Nippon Paint India; and Dr Sasangan, Dean – Engineering, Amrita University shared insights into how collaboration between academia and industry can shape future-ready talent. The discussion focused on the evolving nature of these partnerships, highlighting the need for innovative approaches, shared expectations and alignment in preparing students for industry demands.
First College Sign-Up to Educate India
Manakula Vinayagar Institute of Technology (MVIT), Pondicherry, became the first institution to join L&T EduTech’s Educate India platform. This monumental step, which took place at Connect’24, marked a pivotal moment in the initiative’s journey to democratise engineering education across India. The momentous signing took place in the presence of MVIT’s Dr Jayakumar, Dean and Placement Director; L&T’s Dr C Jayakumar, CHRO; and L&T EduTech’s Sanjai Ranganathan and MF Febin.
Uniting Academia and Industry for Innovation and Growth
Dr V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, delivered a powerful closing keynote at Connect’24, stressing the vital role of industry-academia partnerships in shaping the future workforce. He highlighted how educational institutions like IIT Madras are crucial in nurturing professionals who drive industry growth through trust-based collaboration, industry-relevant projects and platforms like IIT Madras Research Park and SWAYAM Plus. He urged for open partnerships to tackle challenges, nurture talent and commercialise innovation, contributing to India’s progress and a brighter future.
Concluding Remarks and a Look Forward
In his closing remarks, Sandeep Das, Head of Finance at L&T EduTech, delivered a heartfelt Vote of Thanks. He reflected on the event’s discussions and the journey that L&T EduTech has undertaken—from providing vocational training to becoming a key player in India’s education ecosystem. He emphasised that Connect’24 is just the beginning of a larger journey, a marathon toward revolutionising education and shaping a brighter future for India.
Connect’24 successfully laid the groundwork for future collaborations, with industry and academic leaders working hand in hand to bridge the skills gap and nurture the talent that will drive India’s growth in the coming years.