SRM Varsity, Cognizant ink industry-academia pact

Chennai, Aug 7 (UNI) SRM University today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading IT services and BPO firm Cognizant Technology solutions for furthering industry-academia relationship.

The MoU was signed by SRM University Pro Vice-Chancellor T P Ganesan and Cognizant Vice President-HR Bhaskar Das in the presence of the media.

Talking to newsmen, they said under the MoU Cognizant would conduct technical symposia, cultural events and hold workshops and organise guest lectures for students as well as faculty of the university.

''Experts in different facets of IT, domain, process and project management and other related areas from Cognizant, will act as visiting faculty at SRM University and conduct faculty development workshops,'' they added.

HRD specialists from Cognizant would conduct workshop to help the third year engineering students improve their employability and hone behavioral skills to meet the specific needs of the industry.

As part of this initiative, Cognizant would also institute awards for best outgoing student, best performing student in the last semester and best faculty.

The main aim of the MoU was to strengthen the existing industry-academia linkage and in the process, fill the gaps existing both in technology and soft skills and make the students industry-ready.

The MoU has nothing to do with Cognizant giving priority in placements for SRM students. ''We are preparing the students to suit the needs of the Industry and not for Cognizant,'' Mr Das clarified.

UNI