Industry Academia Round Table
October 22, 2024 · 3:00 AM - 11:30 AM @ Colombo, Ramada Colombo
Description
The IEEE Sri Lanka Industry-Academia Roundtable is a premier event organized through the collaboration of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS) Sri Lanka Chapter, IEEE Sri Lanka Section, IEEE R10, and the other IEEE Technical Chapters of Sri Lanka. The objective is to bridge the gap between industry and academia in Sri Lanka by providing a platform to foster innovation, discuss technological advancements and explore research partnerships. This roundtable will bring together industry, academia, and policy-making leaders, encouraging them to share insights, address current challenges, and create synergies that drive Sri Lanka's technological growth. It will serve as a unique venue for both sectors to align their needs, identify shared opportunities, and collaborate in preparing future professionals to meet the evolving demands of the industry. Target Audience: The event is expected to attract approximately 150 participants, including: ● C-Level Executives & Decision Makers from key industries ● Academic Leaders & Researchers from top universities and research institutions ● Government Officials focusing on higher education and industry policies ● Technology & Innovation Experts engaged in Sri Lanka's digital transformation ● represent a multidisciplinary range of perspectives 2 Main Objectives : ● Bridge the Gap Between Industry and Academia: Create a collaborative platform where industry professionals and academic leaders can address existing gaps and enhance mutual understanding. ● Identify and Address Common Challenges: Facilitate discussions on common issues that impact industry and academia and explore strategies to overcome these challenges collectively. ● Sector-Specific Issue Resolution: Conduct focused breakout sessions to tackle specific issues unique to different industry sectors, enabling targeted problem-solving and action plans. ● Align Industry Expectations with Academic Output: Discuss what the industry expects from academia regarding skills, knowledge, and research outputs, and how academic institutions can tailor their programs to meet these needs. ● Foster Research and Development Partnerships: Explore opportunities for collaboration in research, development, and innovation between industry bodies and academic institutions, aiming to drive economic and technological advancement. ● Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration: Establish frameworks and initiatives that encourage ongoing partnerships between industry and academia, including internships, joint research projects, and knowledge exchange programs. ● Promote Knowledge Transfer: Enhance the flow of knowledge and expertise between academia and industry, ensuring that academic research informs industry practices and that industry needs to shape academic curricula. ● Support Talent Development: Discuss strategies for nurturing and retaining talent within Sri Lanka, focusing on aligning educational programs with the evolving demands of the job market. ● Encourage Policy Dialogue: Engage with policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the role of government and industry bodies in supporting and regulating industry-academia collaborations. ● Showcase Success Stories: Highlight successful examples of industry-academia partnerships, providing inspiration and models for future collaborations 3 Event Outcomes: 1. For Academia: ● Understanding of Industry Needs and Expectations: Academic institutions will gain valuable insights into what skills, knowledge, and competencies the industry expects from graduates. This understanding can help them tailor their curricula to better prepare students for the job market. ● Identification of Relevant Research Areas and Collaboration Opportunities: Universities and research institutions will be able to identify areas of research that are most relevant to industry needs. This can lead to more impactful research projects and opportunities for collaboration with industry partners on real-world challenges. ● Improved Curriculum Aligned with Industry Requirements: The event will provide academic leaders to gather feedback from industry professionals on how to align educational programs with current industry trends and demands, ensuring that graduates possess the necessary skills to succeed in their careers. 2. For Industry: ● AccesstoAcademic Expertise and Research Facilities: Industry partners will have the opportunity to tap into the expertise of academic professionals and utilize research facilities for innovation and problem-solving. This can lead to the development of new technologies, processes, and products. ● Opportunities to Influence Academic Programs: By engaging with academia, industry leaders can provide input on curriculum development, ensuring that the education system produces graduates with the skills and knowledge required by the industry. This can help reduce the skills gap and improve the employability of graduates. ● Development of a Talent Pipeline with Industry-Ready Skills: By aligning academic programs with real-world industry needs, businesses benefit from a steady flow of graduates who are better prepared and equipped to contribute effectively from day one
Agenda
8.30 AM 9.00 AM Registration 9.00 AM 9.15 AM Welcome & Program outline 9.15 AM 9.15 AM 9.45 AM Morning Session 1: Enhancing Industry-Academia Collaboration in Sri Lanka 9.45 AM 10.15 AM Morning Session 2: Building a Future-Ready Workforce through Industry-Academia Partnerships 10.15 AM 10.30 AM Morning Tea Break 10.30 AM 12.30 PM Parallel Roundtable Tracks Software & IT Power & Energy Electronic, Electrical & Manufacturing Telecommunication 12.30 PM 1.30 PM Lunch & Networking 1.30 PM 3.15 PM Parallel Roundtable Tracks Software & IT Power & Energy Electronic, Electrical & Manufacturing Telecommunication 3.15 PM 3.30 PM Evening Tea Break 3.30 PM 3.45 PM Evening Session 1: Solving the Challenges of Industry-Academia Collaboration 3.45 PM 4.00 PM Evening Session 2: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration for National Development 4.00 PM 4.15 PM Closing remarks