Media Release
Bengaluru, Mar 1: Alliance University hosted two significant industry engagement platforms — Industry Leaders’ Alliance 2026 and Alliance HR Conclave 2026 — at Hotel Conrad Bengaluru, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, and policy to deliberate on building future-ready talent through collaboration and innovation.
Both events reflected the University’s sustained commitment to strengthening industry–academia partnerships and preparing students to meet the evolving demands of the professional world.
Industry Leaders’ Alliance 2026: Education meets innovation
The Industry Leaders’ Alliance 2026 centred on the theme of collaboration for nurturing future-ready talent in a rapidly transforming economy. The programme began with a welcome address by Dr Ray Titus, pro vice-chancellor (Incubation and Innovation) and dean, Alliance School of Business, who underscored the importance of creating opportunities that promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning.
The inaugural address was delivered by Dr Priestly B Shan, vice chancellor, Alliance University, who spoke about the responsibility of higher education institutions in equipping students with relevant skills and knowledge aligned with industry needs.
Dr Ramana Reddy, Retd IAS and chairman of the Karnataka Skill Development Authority, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of skill development initiatives and policy alignment to strengthen the education-to-employment pathway.
A fireside chat titled ‘Education Meets Innovation: Building Future-Ready Talent for a Disruptive Economy’ formed the highlight of the evening. The discussion featured Rabindra Srikantan, chairman, CII Karnataka State and founder & managing director, ASM Technologies, and Shalini Sankarshana, managing director, Planview India and GCC Council member – NASSCOM Karnataka Region. The session was moderated by Abhay G Chebbi, pro chancellor, Alliance University.
The panellists shared insights on emerging industry trends, adaptability, and continuous learning, emphasising how institutions and organisations can collaborate to provide practical exposure and strengthen industry-relevant capabilities.
An open house discussion followed, enabling students, faculty, and industry leaders to engage directly on themes of innovation, employability, and industry engagement. The programme concluded with closing remarks by Dr Basaralu Sudarshan, chief industry officer, Alliance University, and a vote of thanks by Surekha Shetty, registrar general, Alliance University. A networking dinner provided attendees with an opportunity to build professional connections and continue meaningful conversations.
Alliance HR Conclave 2026: From potential to performance
The Alliance HR Conclave 2026, themed ‘Potential to Performance: Building Future-Ready Talent,’ further deepened the dialogue on workforce transformation, talent development, and strategic collaboration.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr Ray Titus highlighted the importance of strengthening industry engagement and fostering practical capabilities among students. The inaugural address was delivered by Abhay G Chebbi, who emphasised the role of educational institutions in preparing graduates to adapt to changing business landscapes.
The keynote address by Srinivas Raju, chief executive officer, Pi Square Technologies, focused on the growing influence of technology and data in shaping organisations and underscored the need for continuous upskilling and adaptability.
The conclave featured two panel discussions with senior HR and business leaders. The first session explored talent disruption and strategic workforce planning, covering evolving skill requirements, structured workforce strategies, and aligning talent initiatives with business goals.
The second panel discussion focused on co-creating future-ready talent pipelines through sustained collaboration between academia and industry. Speakers discussed designing relevant learning pathways, strengthening early talent development, and enhancing long-term employability.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr Basaralu Sudharshan, chief industry officer, Alliance University, who reiterated the importance of continued industry engagement, followed by a vote of thanks by Surekha Shetty. A networking lunch enabled further professional interaction among participants.
Strengthening Industry–Academia partnerships
Together, Industry Leaders’ Alliance 2026 and the Alliance HR Conclave 2026 demonstrated Alliance University’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment.0020By facilitating dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and students, the University reaffirmed its commitment to building a collaborative ecosystem that supports innovation, employability, and the development of future-ready professionals.