GNC HR conclave emphasises importance of industry-aligned skills, continuous learning

GNC HR Conclave Digitalization – Shaping Futures, 2026 and Beyond (Upscaling through Upskilling at GNC – An Inspiring Meet-up of Leaders, Learners & Future Shapers), supported by NASSCOM SSC & FutureSkills Prime, was held in Guru Nanak College (Autonomous) in Chennai on Wednesday. The Hindu was the media partner for the event.

R. M. Ezhilarasi, Principal, Guru Nanak College (Autonomous), Chennai, welcomed the gathering and presented a brief profile of the institution.

The chief guest for the event, Udaya Sankar, Director – NASSCOM and Co-founder of Matram Foundation, emphasised the importance of industry-aligned skills, continuous learning, and strong collaboration between academic institutions and industry. He appreciated the initiatives of Guru Nanak College in nurturing future-ready competencies among students and noted that this was the first event of its kind in the State of Tamil Nadu at the college level.

Marlene Morais, Advisor, Guru Nanak Educational Society and Former Principal of Guru Nanak College, delivered the keynote address and presented the Guru Nanak College model that has successfully bridged the industry–academia gap through the Guru Nanak Centre for Skill Development, established on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

She emphasised the forward-looking strategies adopted by the college to meet evolving industrial demands and elaborated on the pedagogies integrated to support these initiatives. Highlighting the significance of skilling, upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling, she explained how product development and a thriving start-up culture have been effectively nurtured within the institution.

Swati Paliwal, Dean Academics and Head, GNCCOI, highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by the college in curriculum development and soft skills training to bridge the gap between industry and academia. She emphasised that cultivating knowledge and encouraging critical thinking are key drivers in enhancing students’ employability.

Two panel discussions were conducted on the theme “Becoming Industry-Ready: Way Beyond Curriculum” & “Extensive Influence of AI Across Domains”, moderated by Smitha Kumaran, Educational Consultant & former GM – Wipro. The programme concluded with R. Anand, Dean – Skill Development & Placements, stressing the 3C’s Model — Curiosity, Creativity, and Collaboration — as key the focus areas for higher education institutions.