Hyderabad: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted the Edu Summit on Friday, calling for increased collaboration between industry and academia.

During the event, panellists, including the chairman of TGCHE, urged colleges to establish centers of excellence on their campuses and to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry partners to facilitate student placements.

A report released by CII in association with EY highlighted that 16 lakh jobs are expected in Telangana by 2030.

The report emphasizes the need for improved coordination among stakeholders, timely updates of training plans and involvement of institutions like Telangana Academy of Skill and Knowledge and Young India Skills University to cultivate a workforce ready for industry demands.

Titled “Bridging the Gap: Integrating Skilling into Telangana’s Education System”, the report outlines both the state’s potential and the urgent need for a skilled workforce to meet this growing demand.

Sriram Venkatesh, Chairman of TGCHE, stated: “A dynamic and responsive curriculum is essential to ensure that education remains relevant, effective and aligned with the latest educational practices.”

Telangana is currently grappling with rising urban unemployment

Telangana is currently grappling with rising urban unemployment, with many young graduates finding themselves in low-wage jobs due to a lack of industry-relevant skills.

In response, the state is moving toward a skill-centered education model. This initiative includes introduction of vocational education from Class 6, integration of skill-based education in 30% of the traditional curriculum and emphasis on both technology and soft skill development, as highlighted in a report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) released on Friday.

Sai Prasad, Chairman of CII-Telangana, emphasized the importance of creating an ecosystem that supports sustainable growth through a multi-faceted approach, particularly by strengthening collaboration between industry and academia.

He noted that one of the key strategies is to make industry internships mandatory not only for students but also for faculty members.

This approach aims to bring educators closer to industry trends, thereby improving their teaching methods and better preparing students for the workforce.

The state looks to countries such as Germany, Japan and Australia, which have successfully integrated vocational training systems into their economies, as models for sustainable growth and workforce readiness.

The report, prepared in partnership with EY Parthenon, outlines emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in education and highlights the need to incorporate vocational education and skills aligned with industry requirements into the curriculum.