VIKAS 2025: Western Zone Conference Highlights Collaboration Between Industry and Academia

 

 

VIKAS 2025: Western Zone Conference Highlights Collaboration Between Industry and Academia

📚 VIKAS 2025 Western Zone Conference Held Successfully

The One-Day Western Zone Conference under the VIKAS 2025 initiative (Venturing into Industry Knowledge, Apprenticeship & Skilling) was conducted with great enthusiasm and participation. The event aimed at strengthening the academia-industry interface, with a focus on employability, skilling, and apprenticeship in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

🎤 Inaugural Addresses by Eminent Leaders

The conference was graced by the presence of key educational leaders:

• Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the significance of skilling in higher education and the need for a closer relationship between universities and industries.

• Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor of University of Mumbai, delivered the welcome address, stressing the importance of equipping students with real-world knowledge and practical skills through apprenticeship and industry-driven training.

🪔 Traditional Lamp Lighting Ceremony

As a mark of tradition and enlightenment, the dignitaries jointly lit the ceremonial lamp, symbolizing the inauguration of the knowledge-driven event. The gesture marked the formal beginning of the conference proceedings and set a tone of collaboration and shared vision.

🏛️ A Gathering of Scholars, Experts, and Leaders

The conference witnessed participation from:

• Academic heads from various universities and colleges in the Western Zone
• Industry experts and corporate stakeholders
• Government and policy representatives
• Education reform advocates and NEP implementation advisors

A large audience gathered inside a majestic hall, symbolizing the gravity and scale of the initiative. The sessions focused on new models of industry-academia collaboration, future-ready education, and implementation strategies for apprenticeship programs in higher education.

🧭 Focus Areas of the Conference

• Industry Knowledge Transfer to campuses
• Apprenticeship Integration within curricula
• Use of technology and innovation in skilling
• Aligning higher education goals with NEP 2020
• Strategies for faculty development and industry exposure

📸 Visual Highlights

The event featured keynote addresses, interactive sessions, and a full house of participants deeply engaged in the discussion of transforming Indian education through partnerships with industry. The grandeur of the venue reflected the vision behind VIKAS 2025.

The VIKAS 2025 Western Zone Conference was a major step forward in realising India’s vision for a skill-driven, employment-oriented education system. With thought leadership and strategic planning, such conferences are paving the way for transformative reforms in higher education.

Meta Description:

The VIKAS 2025 Western Zone Conference brought together academic and industry leaders to discuss industry knowledge, apprenticeship, and skilling. Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar and Prof. Ravindra Kulkarni delivered the opening remarks.

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VIKAS 2025 Conference, Western Zone Education Conference, Industry Academia Collaboration, Apprenticeship India 2025, NEP 2020 Skill Development, UGC Events, Mumbai University VC, Higher Education Skilling