As students completing CBSE board exams and other school boards begin charting their academic future, the question of choosing the right university has become more complex than ever. India today has one of the world’s largest higher education ecosystems, with over 40 million students enrolled across universities and colleges, yet employability studies consistently suggest that only about half of graduates are industry-ready. The conversation around education is therefore shifting from degrees to employability skills, a focus that is increasingly visible even at the school level through subjects such as employability skills in Class 11 & 12 and other skill-based curricula.At the same time, the global race for knowledge and innovation is intensifying. India’s progress in international benchmarks such as the Global Innovation Index 2025 India rank, alongside the growing research visibility of Indian scholars on platforms like Google Scholar, reflects the country’s ambition to strengthen its knowledge economy. However, experts argue that innovation means more than patents or publications, it requires universities to cultivate problem-solving abilities, industry exposure, and hands-on learning environments.
Against this backdrop, institutions such as Centurion University Bhubaneswar are experimenting with production-based learning models and industry-linked training ecosystems aimed at bridging the gap between education and employability. In this conversation with ETEducation, Dr (Prof) Mukti Kanta Mishra, President of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, shares insights on how universities can close India’s employability gap, build skill-centric campuses, and prepare students for a rapidly evolving technology-driven economy. Here is an edited excerpt.
1. With board exams ending, what are the three most important factors students should evaluate before choosing a university or campus?
Choosing a university is one of the most defining decisions in a student’s life, and today it must go far beyond glossy brochures or brand perception. Students should evaluate three key factors that directly influence long-term career outcomes.
The first is employability and industry exposure. According to the India Skills Report, only about 50–52% of Indian graduates are considered employable, which highlights the gap between degrees and job readiness. Students should therefore look for universities that integrate internships, live projects, and strong industry partnerships into their curriculum so that they graduate with both academic knowledge and practical experience.
The second factor is hands-on learning infrastructure. The future of higher education lies in experiential learning. Universities that provide production labs, fabrication facilities, innovation centres, and technology incubators allow students to learn by doing rather than relying solely on theoretical instruction.
The third factor is future-ready and interdisciplinary programmes. With sectors like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing growing rapidly, students must choose institutions that offer flexible and multidisciplinary learning pathways that prepare them for emerging industries.
2. Despite holding professional degrees, many graduates still struggle with employability. What is causing this gap between education and industry readiness?
India’s employability challenge is not a talent problem; it is largely a structural design problem within the education system. India produces nearly 1.5 million engineering graduates every year, yet several studies suggest that less than half are industry-ready.
One major reason is limited practical exposure. Many institutions still rely heavily on theoretical instruction and examination-based assessments rather than focusing on problem-solving and applied learning. As a result, students often graduate with knowledge but lack the ability to apply it in real-world situations.
Another factor is minimal industry participation in curriculum design. Technologies and industry needs evolve rapidly, but academic programmes often take years to adapt. This creates a mismatch between what students learn in classrooms and what industries actually require.
A third issue is the insufficient focus on applied skills and entrepreneurship. Employers today expect graduates who can operate machines, work with data, solve real-world problems, and collaborate effectively from the very first day.
At Centurion University of Technology and Management, we address this challenge through industry-linked production units and technology labs embedded within the campus ecosystem, where students work with real machines, real products, and real supply chains. This model ensures that students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical competence.
3. Do you believe India’s higher education system is still too degree-centric rather than skill-centric? How should this change?
Historically, India’s higher education system has been largely degree-centric, where the focus has been on qualifications rather than competencies. However, the global economy is increasingly moving toward a skills-first mindset.
India has one of the world’s largest higher education systems, with over 40 million students enrolled across universities and colleges. Despite this scale, industry surveys repeatedly highlight significant skill gaps among graduates.
In the future, the key question will no longer be “What degree do you have?” but rather “What problems can you solve?” This shift requires a fundamental transformation in how education is delivered.
To accelerate this transition, skill training must be embedded within mainstream higher education so that students graduate with both academic and practical competencies. There should also be flexible pathways between vocational and academic learning, allowing students to move seamlessly between skills-based and degree-based education. In addition, stronger industry participation in curriculum development is essential to ensure that academic programmes remain relevant to changing technological and economic realities.
Encouragingly, policy initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Credit Framework are already pushing the ecosystem toward multidisciplinary and skill-based education. Universities that successfully combine education, skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship will become the real engines of India’s knowledge economy.
4. How can universities ensure students gain hands-on experience and practical exposure instead of relying only on theoretical learning?
Hands-on learning should not be treated as an optional component; it must form the foundation of modern education. Globally, leading institutions are increasingly adopting experiential learning models where students spend a significant amount of time in laboratories, industry settings, and innovation ecosystems.
Universities can enable this by establishing industry-sponsored laboratories and technology centres that give students exposure to real tools and technologies used in the workplace. Production-based learning models are also highly effective, as they allow students to participate directly in manufacturing and operational processes. Apprenticeship-driven programmes can further strengthen learning by enabling students to gain practical experience alongside academic study. Additionally, real-world problem-solving projects encourage students to apply their knowledge to real industry challenges.
Research consistently shows that students exposed to practical training during their education demonstrate higher employability and stronger problem-solving abilities.
At Centurion University of Technology and Management, we follow the “Learn–Experience–Change” model, where students engage directly with manufacturing units, technology labs, and innovation centres designed to replicate real workplace environments. This immersive approach ensures that students graduate with hands-on capabilities, professional confidence, and entrepreneurial thinking, not just academic knowledge.
5. With emerging sectors like aerospace and defence technologies, are Indian universities prepared to train students for these future-focused careers?
India is entering a transformative phase in sectors such as aerospace, defence technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced robotics. The government has set ambitious targets, including expanding India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sector to $25 billion in the coming years. Achieving this vision will require a strong talent pipeline trained in advanced engineering and technology.
Preparing students for these sectors requires several critical elements. Universities must invest in high-end research and laboratory infrastructure that allows students to experiment with advanced technologies. Interdisciplinary engineering programmes are also essential, as emerging industries increasingly require knowledge across multiple domains. Equally important is strong collaboration between academia, industry, and government to ensure that training and research align with national priorities and industrial needs.
Forward-looking universities are already building specialised laboratories, research centres, and industry-linked programmes in these domains. At Centurion University of Technology and Management, we have established production and technology units in areas such as electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and engineering systems, enabling students to gain exposure to real industrial ecosystems.
Looking ahead, deeper collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industry will be essential to build the skilled workforce required for these strategic sectors.
6. With automation and AI transforming industries, which skills will matter the most for students over the next decade?
The next decade will be shaped by a powerful combination of advanced technologies and human creativity. According to global industry reports, nearly 40–50% of existing tasks could be automated over the next decade, but this transformation will also create entirely new categories of jobs.
Technical skills such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics, and digital engineering will certainly play a crucial role in the future workforce. However, equally important will be human-centric capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Automation will replace repetitive tasks, but it will significantly increase the value of human ingenuity, adaptability, and the ability to solve complex problems. As industries continue to evolve, the ability to continuously learn and adapt will become one of the most valuable skills for future professionals.
Therefore, universities must go beyond teaching technologies and focus on nurturing innovators and problem-solvers who can adapt to rapidly changing industries. In the future, education will no longer be a one-time qualification but a continuous journey of learning, reskilling, and innovation.
