Dr. Swati More discusses MIT ADT University’s initiatives in training, placements, industry collaboration, and alumni engagement to bridge the industry-academia gap.

“Alumni are the backbone of any university. We organize large-scale alumni meets across India, identifying where our alumni are and their designations” said Dr. Swati More

Q: What initiatives have been taken under your leadership in the training and placement section?
A: Being a private university, we have a lot of autonomy in collaborating with industries. We offer six-month internships and project-based learning, where students complete multiple projects from the second year itself. By the final year, they gain experience equivalent to two years, making them industry-ready. We also conduct reverse engineering to understand industry needs and train students accordingly through workshops, seminars, and certifications in collaboration with companies like AWS. Since the industry is now focusing on skill-based hiring, we ensure students get certified in different domains, highlighting them in their resumes to increase their chances of selection.

Q: What initiatives have been taken for the alumni engagement program?
A: Alumni are the backbone of any university. We organize large-scale alumni meets across India, identifying where our alumni are and their designations. Through MOUs, they contribute by connecting their industries with us and engaging with students via guest lectures, webinars, and seminars. Some alumni also join as mentors, guiding and supporting students in their career paths.

Q: What do you think is the real gap between industry and academia when it comes to placements?
A: There is an industry-academia gap, which has been discussed for years. It will take time to minimize because we still follow conventional ways of delivering degrees. However, private universities have taken a step forward by providing internships, live case studies, and industrial visits. These visits help students understand company culture and operations, making them better prepared for interviews and corporate life.

Q: How does bringing academia, government, and industry on the same platform help in solving societal challenges?
A: The agenda is to bridge the gap by facilitating conversations and resource-sharing among academia, society, government, and industry. This collective approach ensures that the right resources reach the right people, ultimately addressing major societal challenges.

Q: Any message for ArdorComm Media on its third anniversary?
A: You are doing a fantastic job by bringing all stakeholders onto one platform. This is a huge task, and you are executing it effortlessly. Keep organizing such events, as they help address many societal issues. I wish you all the best!