The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Southern Region, organised the CII SR Higher Education Conclave 2025 at VIT-AP University, Amaravati, on 12 November 2025. The conclave, held on the theme “Reimagining Higher Education for India’s $5 Trillion Economy,” brought together leading academicians, industry leaders and policymakers to deliberate on aligning higher education with India’s economic and technological aspirations.
Organised by the CII Southern Region Taskforce on Education and Industry Institute Linkages, the conclave featured insightful discussions on bridging the skill gap and enhancing employability, strengthening industry–academia partnerships and adopting global best practices in higher education reform.Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resource Development, IT, Electronics and Communication, RTG, Government of Andhra Pradesh, delivered the Chief Guest Address said that achieving a $5 trillion economy is certain for India, the real question is how fast we can reach it.
He Stated that India must not limit its ambition but aim for a $30 trillion economy, which will depend on the reforms, collaborations and transformations we undertake today.
He highlighted that intellectual capital and human talent are the true drivers of this growth. “For me, higher education is not just a sector—it is a strategic pillar,” he said. In the country, with 54per cent of the population under the age of 25, India stands as one of the youngest workforces in the world. However, the challenge lies in employability—only 34per cent of India’s workforce has received formal training, compared to 96per cent in South Korea, 80per cent in Japan and 75per cent in Germany. According to the Economic Survey, only 51per cent of our graduates are employable, revealing a clear mismatch between education and market needs.
The Minister stressed the need for fundamental transformation in higher education, noting that while many students complete four years of degree education without securing jobs, those who undergo short-term vocational training of 4–6 months in places like Ameerpet, Hyderabad, are often job-ready. He underscored the need to shift focus from degree acquisition to skill activation. “International collaboration is a must,” he added, “as it provides exposure, global thinking and the quality framework needed to build a future-ready workforce.”
Looking ahead, the Minister shared his vision that by 2029, Andhra Pradesh would have attracted $1 trillion in investments. The next three years, he said, “will be truly transformative for Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh,” positioning it as a hub of innovation, investment and human capital development. “Andhra Pradesh is committed to nurturing an education ecosystem that drives innovation, research and employability,” said Sri Nara Lokesh. “Collaborative platforms like the CII Higher Education Conclave play a vital role in shaping policies and partnerships that prepare our youth for the opportunities of a global economy.”
In his address, Dr.GV. Selvam, Chairman, CII SR College Excellence Cluster 2025 and Vice President Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), said, technology is meant to enhance our productivity, simplify tasks and open new possibilities—but it should never come at the cost of our creativity and independent thinking. Today, we rely heavily on AI tools and electronic gadgets to solve almost every problem and to make decisions. While this convenience is valuable, it also makes us vulnerable.
If one day these tools were no longer available, many might struggle to think critically or create solutions without technological assistance. True progress lies not in dependence, but in balance—using technology as a partner that supports human ingenuity, not one that replaces it. The future lies in a balanced relationship where AI enhances our potential without overshadowing human thinking. It’s essential to use AI wisely, ensuring it complements our intelligence rather than substituting,” said Dr.GV. Selvam. “CII remains committed to facilitating dialogue and collaboration between academia and industry to create a future-ready workforce equipped with the skills, creativity and adaptability required for sustainable growth.”
Dr.S.V.Kota Reddy – Vice Chancellor, IT AP University made opening remarks of the morning session ,and Dr Ashwin Mahalingam Co Chairman, CII SR Taskforce on Education and Industry Institute Linkages and Professor and Dean - Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras Mr Indrajit Anne CEO, Inventiz and President iTAAP - Information Technology Association of Andhra Pradesh Mr V Srikant CEO ICT Academy participated as panelists and expressed their insights on the theme ‘Reimagining Higher Education for India’s $5 Trillion Economy,
The conclave featured interactive panel discussions, keynote sessions and networking opportunities, bringing together senior representatives from universities, research institutions, industry bodies and Government departments. The event concluded with a collective call to action to accelerate reforms that enhance the quality, relevance and global competitiveness of higher education in India.
Other panelists who shared their insights on the theme “Reimagining Higher Education for India’s $5 Trillion Economy” include Dr Ashwin Mahalingam Co Chairman, CII SR Taskforce on Education and Industry Institute Linkages and Professor and Dean - Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras Mr Philipp Assmus Founder and CEO FyrstGen, UK ,Prof. K Ratna Shiela Mani, Vice Chairperson, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Saranam Narendra Kumar Vice Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh and Executive Director, Apex Solutions Ltd
Mr Dasari Ramakrishna Past Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh and Managing Director Efftronics Systems P Ltd, Dr G Pardha Saradhi Varma Vice-Chancellor KL University (Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation) Mr Suresh Babu Borra General Manager and President – AI Club HCLTech Mr Ravi Kumar Raju Potturi Head – AI PI Data Centers Prof S Rajaram Registrar Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) Dr Srinivasa Rao Gorantla Dean Promotion and Collaborations Vignan’s University, Dr M Lakshmi Prasad Past Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh and Managing Director, Sujay Biotech Pvt.Ltd Sujay Biotech P Ltd, Ms Clemence Kopeikin Chief Impact Officer Fyrstgen,Switzerland Dr Tarun Kakani CEO, Global Technology Solutions and IT Startup Funding company, CEO-Amaravati Boating Club Prof. Dr Bertram Lohmuller CEO SUTM Steinbeis Center of Sustainable Technology and Management GmbH Mr Ramasamy SRT Vice President RandD Efftronics Systems Pvt. Ltd. Dr M S Vijayendra Director Amrita University Dr A V Ratna Prasad Pro Vice Chancellor Siddhartha University (SAHE).
