BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus has recently modified its renowned 7.5-month internship initiative, the Practice School Programme, by introducing Industry Advisory Panels (IAPs). 

 

This move has garnered a remarkable 47% increase in the participation of core-engineering companies in this year's Placement initiatives.

 

The IAPs comprise 27 esteemed experts from various engineering fields who analyse market demands and anticipate potential challenges faced by graduates in the UAE's evolving landscape. 

 

Insights 

The insights gleaned from these panels are utilised to enhance existing courses, develop cutting-edge modules, and seamlessly integrate industry requirements into the curriculum, ensuring students receive practical, real-time knowledge tailored to their chosen sectors.

 

Dr Gomathi Bhavani, Faculty-in-Charge of Career Services who facilitated the panel meetings this year, said: “The IAPs initiative is aimed at enhancing the employability of students and fostering deeper and more meaningful engagement every step of the way. We at BITS Pilani understand that practical, on-the-job learning is crucial to the success of our students and our panels – a unique endeavor – is another way for us to bring industry knowledge into our classrooms.” 

 

Each IAP operates on a dynamic two-year term, and its members' expertise spans diverse areas such as cyber security and privacy, alternate channels of electronic communications, certification and auditing, wastewater solutions, regulatory and business development, sustainability, circular economy, project management, and cost-efficient approaches, among others.

 

Strong link

Prof Srinivasan Madapusi, Director of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, said: "A distinguishing feature of BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, is our strong link with external stakeholders, especially industry partners. Our unique Practice School programme, comprising over seven months of full-time internship, positions our students advantageously in terms of industry exposure and career opportunities. With the formation of IAPs, comprising industry leaders, we ensure our curriculum aligns with the skill-sets needed for the future."

 

Deepak Ramchand Bhatia, Vice President - e& by Etisalat, Chairperson, and Advisor in the IAPs, shares his alma mater's commitment to continuous improvement and highlights one of its newest initiatives, the introduction of Industry Advisory Panels. 

 

These panels facilitate discussions between educators, key industry leaders, and experts to bring important curriculum changes. Leveraging their experience and understanding of future technologies, these leaders help students at the University stay relevant in the ever-growing workforce. Bhatia envisions that the engineers of tomorrow from BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus will become industry leaders in their respective fields, making the project truly visionary.

 

Krishna Kumar, General Manager, Oasis Investment Company, Al Shirawi Group of Companies (Engineering Services Group), another advisor in the IAPs at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, emphasises the significance of industry education for futuristic learning. By addressing existing pain points, this education equips graduates with essential technical and non-technical competencies, including financial literacy, creativity, and emotional intelligence, effective decision-making, and problem-solving skills.-- TradeArabia News Service