Confederation of Indian Industry and Central University of Jammu join hands to bridge the industry-academia divide

JAMMU: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K UT Council and Central University of Jammu Jammu join hands to bridge the industry-academia divide.  In a significant step towards enhancing student employability and fostering industry-ready skills, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K UT Council and Central University of Jammu (CUJ), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement aims to create a collaborative framework for equipping students with entrepreneurial knowledge and industrial skills required at the national and international level. This strategic partnership will see both organizations work closely on a range of initiatives, including curriculum design, industrial visits, workshops, and symposia. The MoU was signed by Prof. Yashwant Singh, Registrar, Central University of Jammu, and Sh. Khurshid Maqbool Dar, Director, CII J&K UT Council in presence of Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Dr. M A Alim, Chairman, CII J&K Council and faculty members.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, reiterated the University's commitment to nurturing future leaders. "This collaboration with CII is a testament to our focus on making our students not just degree-holders, but skilled professionals ready to contribute meaningfully to the economy. It will provide them with invaluable exposure to industry practices and expectations," he said.

Dr. M. A Alim spoke about the emerging technologies and workforce requirements of local industry. He highlighted several initiatives of CII, JK Council and assured that Council will facilitate the University in enriching the industry-academia interface. It is pertinent to mention here that Dr Alim was instrumental in conceptualizing and steering this collaboration to fruition. His vision for a robust industry-academia interface in the region played a pivotal role in bringing this partnership to life, ensuring that the agreement is aligned with the dual goals of academic excellence and industrial relevance.

Sh. Khurshid Maqbool Dar highlighted CII's role as a facilitator in this partnership."CII is dedicated to creating an environment conducive to industry growth and will leverage its extensive network to connect CUJ students with the right opportunities. Our role is to provide the platform and expert inputs that help bridge the gap between academic learning and industrial application," he noted.Prof. Yashwant Singh, Registrar, CUJ, expressed optimism about the joint initiatives, emphasizing that the MoU paves the way for strengthening the entrepreneurship and start-up culture among the student community.

He pointed out that the structured collaboration will open new avenues for students to engage with industry leaders.Prof. Jaya Bhasin welcomed the partnership, stating it is a significant stride in helping students enhance their skills in innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr. Shahid Mushtaq shared insights on how this MoU will complement the university's existing skilling ecosystem, including its incubation center, CUJ SITE COUNCIL.

Under the terms of the MoU, CII will provide crucial inputs for curriculum customization to align with market requirements and will facilitate connections with industry partners for student visits and learning opportunities. The partnership will also involve collaboration in research, consultancy, and capacity-building projects of mutual interest.The event was attended by faculty members from across the University and was coordinated by Prof. Jaya Bhasin and Dr. Shahid Mushtaq. The entire programme underscored a strong, shared resolve to empower students and contribute to the economic growth of the region.