Recently KLS IMER, Belagavi, in collaboration with Aequs Limited, successfully organized CONVERGE 1.0 – Aggregating Academia & Industry with Special Focus on Polytechnic Colleges at the Aequs campus.

The unique initiative brought together 26 delegates from 13 Polytechnic Colleges, including Principals, Heads of Departments and Training & Placement Officers, with the objective of strengthening industry–academia collaboration and aligning diploma education with the evolving workforce requirements of the manufacturing and aerospace sectors.

Setting the context, Dr. Shailaja Hiremath, Coordinator & Associate Professor, KLS IMER, spoke on "Building a Future-Ready Talent Ecosystem for Diploma Graduates", highlighting the importance of closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry.

The technical sessions featured Mr. Nagesh H. R., Operations Head – Aerospace & Operations, Aequs Limited, who presented the growth journey of Aequs and its talent requirements, followed by Mr. Kapil Mahajan, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Aequs Limited, who shared valuable insights on industry expectations from Polytechnic education and future workforce competencies.

An engaging open forum on "Challenges, Expectations and Collaborative Opportunities between Academia and Industry" was facilitated by Mr. Vishal Kulkarni, Corporate Head – Capability, Contract Workforce Management & Skill Development, Aequs Limited, enabling meaningful interaction between industry leaders and representatives of Polytechnic institutions. Participants also visited Aequs manufacturing facilities to gain exposure to advanced manufacturing practices.

Ms. Aadhya Bhat, MBA (HR), co-anchored the programme with Ms. Siyonna-HR from Aequs.

CONVERGE 1.0 concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen industry–academia partnerships through collaborative initiatives in internships, placements, faculty immersion, skill development, corporate training and research. Shri Uday Kalkundrikar Chairman GC and Dr. Arif Shaikh Director KLS IMER and HR leadership team Aequs Limited appreciated the initiative and expressed the commitment to nurture the local talent ecosystem.