Skill Development Aligned with Industry Needs
Mandi (Munish Sood)
Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor (Innovation, Digital Technology, and Governance) to the Chief Minister, emphasized the significance of collaboration between education and industry at the HIVE 2.0 Conclave held at IIT Mandi today. He was addressing the audience as the chief guest during the closing ceremony of the two-day event.
Praising the conclave, Butail described it as a meaningful initiative that bridges the gap between academic research and industry needs. He highlighted the pivotal role such platforms play in fostering innovation, research, and technological advancement in the country. HIVE has provided an important opportunity to strengthen ties between Indian industry and academia, facilitating discussions on new technologies and research initiatives. During the event, he also felicitated the winners of the startup competition.
Government’s Focus on Skill Development and Industry Readiness
Visiting IIT Mandi for the fourth time, Butail appreciated the institution’s continuous efforts, stating, “It always feels great to be here because this platform connects policymakers and public representatives with the architects of our nation’s future.” He noted that such events offer valuable opportunities to understand new research and advanced innovations tailored to meet the evolving demands of various industries.
Discussing successful collaborations between the Government of India, state governments, and premier educational institutions like IIT Mandi, Butail highlighted several government initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship. He mentioned that Skill Missions are actively helping the workforce acquire essential skills aligned with industry requirements.
Sharing his personal experiences, Butail recalled his time studying in the United States, where professors spent three days teaching at universities and three days working in industries to stay updated with the latest developments. Drawing inspiration from such models, he stated that the Himachal Pradesh government is integrating subjects like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and solar panel maintenance into ITI courses, ensuring that young people are equipped with skills relevant to modern industry demands.
IIT Mandi’s Role in Addressing Global Challenges
Commending IIT Mandi, Butail remarked that the institution is creating an environment where academic research and industry can collaborate effectively to tackle global challenges. “The contributions of this institute in fostering such synergy are truly commendable,” he added.
