Here is a transcript of the conversation. [It has been modified for readability]
[Chinmay Kale]
Hello, everyone! Good morning! Today, we have gathered for an informal chat with Mr. Hebbar and Shachi to discuss the IndustryConnect initiative. Mr. Hebbar is the founder of Buoyanci, a global consulting firm. Welcome, Mr. Hebbar, and thank you for joining us today. Shachi is the community manager for IndustryConnect, and I’ll be supporting both of them in this discussion. The purpose of today’s session is to better understand what IndustryConnect is all about. So without further delay, let’s turn it over to Mr. Hebbar to give us an overview. Thank you!
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Hi Shachi. IndustryConnect, in essence, is a program, initiative, or even a department, if you will. The core idea here is to address the clear gap between what academia teaches and what students need to know to become effective in the industry. Bridging the gap between academia and industry is a perennial challenge. This isn’t a recent issue; it’s always existed, and it’s partly due to the nature of academia itself. An academic council, for instance, decides what students should learn, but there’s often a 10-year lag between these academic decisions and the time when students enter the workforce.
Industry, on the other hand, evolves daily, with new advancements continually coming into play. So, the question remains: how can we align what is taught in schools with what is needed on the job? This gap isn’t easy to bridge, and we’re all aware of this challenge. Numerous efforts have been made to bridge it as best as possible to ensure that students coming out of colleges are better equipped to contribute in the industry.
There are several ways this gap has been addressed in the past, such as through “finishing schools”—programs designed to prepare students between college and industry by equipping them with the skills to secure jobs and succeed professionally. Individual companies often run programs ranging from two weeks to two years to prepare new employees. However, closing this gap remains challenging for both students and the industry.
In this context, IndustryConnect is another initiative aimed at bridging this gap. It’s a way to prepare students to be industry-ready as quickly as possible, aligning their skills and mindset with industry needs. The unique aspect of IndustryConnect is that it brings in Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) directly from the industry. These SMEs, who work daily on advancing their fields and shaping the future, share firsthand knowledge with students who are two, three, or even four years away from entering the workforce.
By connecting students directly with these industry leaders, we offer insights into current affairs, emerging technologies, and the specific depth of knowledge required to succeed in industry roles. The information is presented transparently, without any “sugarcoating.” It’s a straightforward approach: here’s what’s happening, here’s what’s expected, and here’s how you, as a student, can prepare.
The goal of IndustryConnect is to accelerate students’ readiness and ability to be absorbed effectively into the industry. By providing real-world insights and direction, we hope to help students align their studies with industry expectations. IndustryConnect, then, is our way of adding to the ongoing efforts to bridge the academic-industry gap. It’s one more structured element in this important exercise.
[Chinmay Kale]
No, I think it’s good, but can you also help us understand—since we’re aiming to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the professional expertise required—how we might bring structure to this exercise? What offerings would make sense for both students and SMEs to participate in?
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
That’s a great question. I don’t think there’s a simple formula for every industry since it’s often specific to each individual. Structurally, though, we’re considering a multi-element approach because we all learn differently. Here are a couple of things we’re looking at:
Firstly, bringing in subject matter experts can be beneficial in two ways. One is by offering an industry perspective on a given subject. Take, for example, today’s AI landscape, where applications can create a “ghost” (automation) or a “friend” (interactive systems). But as an SME, are you building a ghost or a friend? That’s something people need to understand.
Secondly, SMEs can demystify the entire process of becoming an AI expert—what steps should you take today to reach that level tomorrow? This career path guidance is something SMEs are well-placed to provide. So, we’re looking at two elements here.
One is to conduct a series of webinars where experts discuss what it takes to develop expertise in a given field, covering a span of 10–15 years. They could address questions like, “What’s the first step you should take in college to head in this direction?” and “What does the industry expect from someone in this role?” This focuses on role-specific information about career paths. Career path definition, then, is something we can provide through these webinars.
The second element is going deeper technically. For example, say someone is an electronics engineer who understands that semiconductors are essential, and they’re not going away. But what’s the process of defining a next-generation chip required for AI today? Here, SMEs can technically break down what it takes to build an AI-enabled chip, giving direction for people who want to establish themselves in a specific technical area. It’s not just a career path overview—it’s about the technology itself. This is where technical talks come in, deep-diving into a particular domain to demystify the process of building, using, and applying the technology.
So, we have webinars, which are informative on what it takes to be in a particular role, and we have tech talks, which deepen technical domain knowledge. Those are the two elements we’re considering.
The third element, which we may add over time, is workshops. Workshops would provide hands-on opportunities for people to try things out. Learning isn’t just about reading; it’s about experimenting and following through with your own work. This kind of experimentation can complete the learning process.
To start, we plan to begin with a series of webinars and tech talks by SMEs on topics of interest, eventually moving toward structured workshops, whether online or offline. These would allow participants to practice and, ultimately, become better prepared for their chosen field.
[Chinmay Kale]
How does IndustryConnect help people secure jobs? When it comes to technology fields, especially engineering and related disciplines, people are ultimately interested in job opportunities. Do you think IndustryConnect helps in this regard?
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Hopefully, yes. But I’d say it’s more than just hope—effort is essential, too. Tech talks, webinars, and workshops will certainly prepare students to face interviews confidently. Building that confidence is an important part of a student’s journey toward a job. Additionally, there are several aspects to consider when it comes to jobs, including internships and project-based learning, as well as resources like job fairs and job boards.
The aim is to bring all these elements together, equipping students both technically and with essential soft skills. Through tech talks and workshops, we’re able to help students become job-ready. We also intend to provide them with opportunities to practice facing interviews. As the program progresses, there will also be internships, projects, and industry-curated job fairs for registered participants. This will improve their ability to handle interviews and expose them to job opportunities that may not be readily accessible elsewhere.
In our country, companies often recruit directly from institutes in tier-1 cities and top-ranked colleges. These institutions already have numerous programs, and rightfully so. However, there are many students and faculty in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and colleges who would benefit greatly from added support to improve both their institutions and their students’ career prospects. With an online-offline platform, we can help level the playing field, creating more equitable opportunities.
So, in summary, IndustryConnect helps with both preparing students to face interviews effectively and providing access to job opportunities.
[Shachi Adiga]
That’s interesting. Besides preparing students for interviews, does IndustryConnect provide any opportunities for professional networking?
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Yes, it does. Initially, it will be primarily an online networking platform. Peer learning is incredibly powerful—whatever a teacher, book, or video might convey, discussing topics with classmates and people in similar situations can accelerate learning. Peer networking is invaluable, so we’ll aim to create networking opportunities for students.
However, this isn’t intended to be a social or college festival-type of networking. Rather, we’re focused on professional networking. We’ll host some offline events, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as in tier-1 locations where colleges might host IndustryConnect initiatives. SMEs and other professionals will attend these events, giving students chances to connect directly.
Many of our tech talks and webinars will also be interactive, where students can ask questions and clarify their doubts. This will offer structured, professional networking, though it won’t be free-form social networking. Student communities are inherently transitional; each year, new students join, and those who graduate will move on to other professional networking platforms.
The networking we offer will be focused and tailored for students’ needs over the two to four years they’re preparing to enter the job market. It’s curated to help them become job-ready, rather than replacing broader professional or social networking platforms.
[Chinmay Kale]
What are the differences between Gen Z and previous generations? There’s a lot of talk about Gen Z being characteristically different from Gen X and Baby Boomers. From the perspectives of learning, professionalism, and building expertise, what differences do you see? What should jobs and education do to ensure that Gen Z becomes as productive as possible?
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Yes, I believe Gen Z can be even more productive than previous generations. They’re younger, have greater exposure to tools and methods, and possess a remarkable willingness to experiment. By virtue of these traits, they have the potential to outpace other generations, and we need to acknowledge that. However, to make that happen, two key adjustments are required.
Firstly, attention deficit is a real challenge. Whether we call it attraction or distraction, the amount of stimuli Gen Z faces today is much higher than previous generations. This means that our methods of getting things done must also be very targeted. Teaching needs to be concise, capturing attention within, say, 30 seconds, or we risk losing engagement. Training, orientation, and challenges must be tailored to fit these needs. Companies realize this—they know that engaging Gen Z requires a different approach to make them feel at home and useful in the workplace.
For this generation, short, engaging snippets that pique interest, combined with deeper challenges that they can invest effort in, is crucial. Many SMEs share this perspective. For example, I recently spoke with a 3D printing expert, who reminded me that the field originated as an industrial solution before becoming popular as a hobby. He explained that to make Gen Z recognize 3D printing as a serious industrial tool, he has to demonstrate its applications and impact in the world. Starting with examples—showing how 3D-printed parts are actively used in industry—connects with Gen Z far more effectively than beginning with the theoretical background.
Conversations like these emphasize the need to present topics in a way that’s immediately relevant and application-based. This generation has access to far more information than previous ones, so starting with relevance and specific examples helps them see the broader potential and connects them to the field. That’s the way forward for working effectively with Gen Z.
[Chinmay Kale]
Okay, continuing on this topic: why should SMEs be excited about this initiative? They are a key component in making this work.
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
As you know, industry growth depends on new talent coming in; it’s a critical aspect. Growth and innovation primarily stem from fresh perspectives entering the system, so SMEs want skilled individuals to join them. Part of their job is to ensure that more people like them are cultivated and that there are more capable hands to help drive the company’s innovation.
SMEs understand that not everyone will become an expert overnight. They know that planting seeds early is essential, as most new hires will grow and some can be nurtured to become experts over time. This is one reason SMEs see the value in this initiative.
Secondly, when juniors join a team, experts often spend significant time and energy training them to ensure they’re productive and that projects don’t suffer. If new hires are well-prepared and have the right mindset before joining, SMEs can save a lot of time and energy, which they can instead dedicate to core tasks. This preparation benefits SMEs because they’ll have team members who are more capable and enthusiastic from the start.
Lastly, many experts enjoy sharing their knowledge and experiences. This platform allows them to reach a broader audience than just the one or two institutions their companies typically engage with. Here, they can share their expertise with thousands of students, enhancing their personal and company brand value. This mutual benefit is what motivates SMEs—helping to build a strong, capable workforce from day one.
[Shachi Adiga]
Excellent. What is the vision you have for this Industry Connect initiative you started? What would success mean for Industry Connect, according to you?
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
That’s a good question. Success, to me, is multi-faceted—it’s not just one thing. One measure of success is when there’s a steady flow of experts from around the world reaching out, wanting to share their knowledge with students on this platform. When experts are queuing up to participate, sending emails expressing their interest to discuss specific subjects, and when we’re finding it challenging to schedule everyone, that’s one indicator of success.
The second sign of success is when students come back to us and voluntarily promote the platform within their communities. They become ambassadors for their own institutions, saying, “This is something we need.” They might even compile lists of requests based on what they believe will help them succeed in the industry, and then share that with us.
A third measure is when Industry Connect becomes a go-to platform for both industry and academia—a space where they can exchange students, projects, and internships. When this happens, it will signify a strong level of engagement and trust from both sides.
As for the ultimate vision, I’d like to see this platform completely democratized, managed not by a company, but by the community itself. It would be a space where people demand what they need, others provide it, and the whole ecosystem functions organically. Many platforms today are moderated by companies that profit from their users in various ways, but I envision a democratized platform where learning and industrial integration are accessible to all. That’s what I would consider the ultimate success.
[Chinmay Kale]
Okay, great. So, Hebbar, finally, if you could specifically discuss the format of the webinars and Tech Talks, as these are the initial offerings we’re launching right now. This would give SMEs watching some perspective on what they need to prepare and how they should present their talks.
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Sure. As I mentioned, webinars are more of a one-way communication format, even if they’re live. Everything needs to be recorded so it’s available for others to view later. Considering the current generation’s attention span, short formats are more effective. I would suggest webinars last around 30 minutes, followed by a curated Q&A session of about 15 minutes. So, approximately 45 minutes total for a webinar, which should be concise and impactful, allowing participants to revisit the recording later as well. This way, we provide genuine, original content that remains accessible.
For Tech Talks, these will be a bit longer than webinars. Initially, Tech Talks may also start as recorded sessions due to logistics, as we need to coordinate with students’ availability and manage other details. A Tech Talk would typically last about an hour, where the presenter dives deeper into technology or technical concepts, often with demonstrations and experiments. If it’s an interactive Tech Talk, we’d add about 30 minutes for Q&A, making it approximately 1.5 hours in total.
The key difference between the two is that Tech Talks focus on technology, while webinars are more about career overviews, general insights, and pathways. Tech Talks are likely to become highly interactive as we go forward, especially if held in collaboration with colleges, who often request in-person Tech Talks as well. Keeping these sessions to about 1 hour, with an additional 30 minutes for Q&A, would be ideal.
Another element we’ve seen requests for is faculty development. Colleges often have their own faculty development programs, but when SMEs are involved, these can be extended to an FDP program specifically for faculty. Since faculty significantly influence students, these deeper, experimental Tech Talks could be arranged for faculty as well, with pre-registration and live walkthroughs. These FDP Tech Talks would also follow the format of around 1.5 hours, ensuring they’re thorough and impactful.
So, to summarize:
- Webinars: Informational, 30 minutes plus 15 minutes for Q&A.
- Tech Talks: Technical, 1 hour plus 30 minutes for Q&A.
[Chinmay Kale]
Thank you! That was a fantastic overview, and I think we’ve covered everything. We’re extremely excited to launch this initiative. We’ve already begun connecting with SMEs, and several have already signed up. So, if you’re interested, please do register—we’d love to hear what you have to share.
For students, registrations are open, so sign up soon! Our first webinar will be launching very soon, so keep an eye on this space.
Thank you, Mr. Hebbar, for providing such a comprehensive overview. We’re thrilled to have you and to be part of this initiative, and we’re confident it will make a meaningful impact.
[Manjunatha Hebbar]
Absolutely! I have no doubt about that. Thanks, and best of luck to all of us!