Tag: Industry-Academia Collaboration

TechPulse

upGrad School of Technology Partners with SSAHE to Drive Industry-Linked Innovation on Campus

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (SSAHE), Karnataka’s Deemed-to-be-University, has announced a strategic collaboration with upGrad School of Technology to embed an industry-aligned School of Technology within the university’s existing engineering programmes. The initiative aims to strengthen academic delivery by integrating application-first learning, research exposure and industry relevance from the very start of a student’s academic journey.

Under the collaboration, upGrad School of Technology, led by CEO Vishwa Mohan and Chief Revenue and Outcome Officer Mehul Khandhedia, will provide academic and curriculum advisory support while enabling deeper industry integration across SSAHE’s engineering framework. The approach includes research exposure, build sprints and continuous specialisations supported by AI-first learning technologies that deliver personalised learning pathways, real-time skill tracking and enhanced academic support.

Building on its experience in job-focused technology education, upGrad School of Technology will strengthen SSAHE’s engineering curriculum with practitioner-led modules in emerging fields such as Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics and Full Stack Engineering. Students will gain hands-on experience through extensive coding practice, project-based learning and structured industry-linked opportunities designed to foster product thinking and early exposure to real-world tech roles.

The initiative is being driven under the leadership of SSAHE Chancellor and Karnataka Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara, who described the collaboration as a transformative step for the institution. He said the partnership would bring global education standards and innovation-driven learning to SSAHE campuses, preparing students to lead India’s next wave of technological advancement. Advisor to the Chancellor, Dr Vivek Veeraiah, added that the collaboration would seamlessly integrate industry-driven, application-first learning to ensure graduates are future-ready technologists.

In later phases, students will gain access to prototyping labs, seed-support channels and masterclasses by global founders and CTOs, enabling them to ideate, build and validate ventures within the university’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative promises three key outcomes: opportunities to work with leading global technology companies, structured entrepreneurial pathways with access to funding support, and a comprehensive ecosystem for deep-tech research in India and abroad.

Speaking on the collaboration, Vishwa Mohan and Mehul Khandhedia highlighted the importance of complementing strong academic foundations with real-time, application-focused learning to ensure students graduate as industry-ready contributors. upGrad Founder Ronnie Screwvala added that as India transitions from cost competitiveness to capability leadership, partnerships like this will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of innovators and job creators.

In its first phase, upGrad School of Technology will focus on university partnerships across South India, with plans to scale the model nationally. The collaboration will be formally inaugurated in Bengaluru on 20 December, bringing together academic and industry leaders to discuss how India’s engineering youth can contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Business

GCCI and Goa College of Engineering Sign MoU to Foster Industry-Academia Collaboration

allycaralgoa

Panaji, Goa | June 30, 2025 — In a strategic initiative to align academic learning with real-world industry demands, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Goa College of Engineering (GEC), Farmagudi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 30, 2025. The MoU marks a milestone in strengthening Goa’s innovation ecosystem through deeper collaboration between education and enterprise.

The formal signing ceremony took place in the presence of key dignitaries from both institutions. Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo, President of GCCI, and Dr. Krupashankara M. S., Principal of GEC, signed the MoU. Other dignitaries present included Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI; Dr. Suraj S. Rane, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, GEC; Ms. Pratima Dhond, President-Elect, GCCI; Mr. Rohan Bhandare, Hon. Treasurer, GCCI; and Ms. Ambika Dhakhenkar, Deputy Director, GCCI.

Key Objectives of the MoU Include:

  • Curriculum Modernization: Aligning GEC’s academic curriculum with evolving industry needs to enhance employability.
  • Skill Development & Training: Facilitating training programs, internships, and industry-specific workshops.
  • Innovation & Research: Supporting student-led innovation, entrepreneurship initiatives, and collaborative research projects.
  • Expert Engagement: Organizing industry talks, field visits, seminars, and placement-focused sessions.
  • Infrastructure Support: Setting up industry-sponsored labs to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
  • Consultancy & Projects: Offering technical consultancy and enabling real-world project exposure for students.

Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, President of GCCI, emphasized the vision behind the initiative:

“This partnership is a forward-looking step that reflects GCCI’s commitment to nurturing talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Goa. We are delighted to collaborate with one of Goa’s premier engineering institutions.”

Dr. Krupashankara M. S., Principal of GEC, expressed his enthusiasm:

“This MoU allows our students to gain enhanced exposure to real-world industry challenges. We aim to bridge the divide between theoretical learning and practical application.”

The MoU will remain in effect for a period of five years, during which both institutions will jointly undertake strategic initiatives to drive innovation, research, and skill development across Goa.

With this collaboration, GCCI and GEC reaffirm their shared vision of creating a future-ready workforce, empowered by knowledge, practical experience, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Business

Mangirish Salelkar returns as President of Goa Technology Association for 2025–2027

allycaralgoa

 
The Goa Technology Association (GTA), the state’s premier body representing IT, ITeS, BPO companies, and technology startups, has unanimously elected Mangirish Salelkar as its President for the 2025–2027 term. A respected technopreneur and ecosystem builder, Salelkar earlier served as GTA’s President during the 2017–2019 and 2019–2021 terms, where he played a key role in shaping Goa’s tech landscape through strategic initiatives and collaborative leadership.
 
Established in 2017, GTA has grown into the collective voice of over 100 tech companies and startups in Goa. It offers a robust platform for dialogue, policy advocacy, and ecosystem building. The Association has contributed significantly to the state’s IT and Startup Policies and has led several impactful initiatives in the areas of skill development, entrepreneurship, and investment promotion.


 
While speaking on his reappointment, Salelkar said, “GTA is not just an association—it is a mission to put Goa on the global tech map. Our focus in this term will be to strengthen the ecosystem, unlock opportunities for local talent, support startups, and build strong partnerships that fuel sustainable growth.”
 
Known for his visionary outlook and inclusive leadership, Salelkar continues to play a vital role in bridging the gap between industry, academia, and government in Goa. His return to the presidency comes at a time when the state’s technology sector is poised for greater national and international relevance.


 
The newly elected GTA Managing Committee for the 2025–2027 term includes Mangirish Salelkar as President, Milind Prabhu and Rohan Warty as Vice Presidents, Chinmay Kamat as Secretary, and Amol Bhandarkar as Treasurer. Sujeet Shetty as the Immediate Past President, while the committee also includes members Yashvit Naik, Vikram Pai Raikar, and Rohir Naik. Additionally, Sunaya Shirodkar has been appointed as Chairperson of the Women’s Wing.
 
Over the next two years, GTA aims to focus on building strong industry-academia partnerships to develop future-ready talent, work closely with the government in attracting investments into Goa’s tech infrastructure, and supporting the growth of deep-tech and product-driven startups. The Association will also work on enhancing member engagement, advocating progressive policies and incentives, and establishing global linkages to showcase the potential of Goan tech talent on the world stage.
 
With a renewed leadership team and a clear roadmap, GTA is ready to lead Goa’s digital and economic transformation into its next chapter.

Events in Goa

ASSOCHAM Goa’s ‘Bridging Horizons’ Explores the Future of Industry and Academia in collaboration with DITE&C

allycaralgoa

Quepem, February 28 2025: The fourth edition of Bridging Horizons: Confluence of Industry, Institute & Innovation, organized by ASSOCHAM Goa State Development Council, in collaboration with the Department of IT, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, was held at the Government College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Quepem. The event focused on the evolving relationship between education and industry, highlighting the need for skill-based learning, industry-academia collaboration, and workforce readiness.

The Department of IT, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, has been actively working to align talent with industry needs through skilling, reskilling, and upskilling initiatives. Efforts such as industry-academia meetings, venture capital events, and corporate partnerships are creating new opportunities for professionals and businesses, strengthening Goa’s position in the evolving job market. Bridging Horizons: Confluence of Industry, Institute & Innovation added to this momentum by facilitating discussions on skill development and industry collaboration, further emphasizing the need for a strong industry-academia connection.

The program featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Vijay Borges, Project Director, PMU CARES, Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Goa, on Skill-Based Education – Towards the Future of Work, emphasizing the need for skill-based education that aligns with industry demands. He highlighted the importance of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) such as computational thinking, creativity, collaboration, and ethical awareness in preparing students for the workforce. He addressed foundational learning gaps and noted their long-term impact on academic progress and employability. He also discussed challenges like underemployment, demographic shifts, and the growing influence of automation, stressing the need for continuous upskilling and stronger industry-academia collaboration to bridge the skills gap.

A panel discussion on The Future of Industry and Academia brought together industry leaders to discuss Goa’s potential as an IT hub, sectors expected to expand, and the role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in shaping education and employment. The discussion included perspectives from Shri. Mangirish Salelkar, Chairman, IT & ITeS Committee, ASSOCHAM Goa & CEO, Umang Group; Shri. Sudip Faldessai, Project Officer, Goa State Innovation Council, Government of Goa; Shri. Mohsin Shaikh, Founder Director, Haztech; Shri. Mahendra Tiwari, CEO, EthernetXpress India Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Bhavit Naik, Co-founder & CEO, Technorix; and Shri. Raghu Shetye, Director, DNA Goa Broadband. The panelists explored how industry-academia collaboration can help bridge skill gaps and create opportunities for economic development.

The discussions at Bridging Horizons highlighted the need for collaboration between academia and industry to align education with workforce requirements. The Department of IT, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, continues to support this effort by advancing skill development and promoting innovation.