Hands-on Learning and Industry Exposure through Dynamic Workshop Sessions

On March 26th and 27th, 2026, the School of Technology and the Apollo Career Counseling Cell conduced a two-day “Workshop on Industry Readiness & Practical Skills Development” at Apollo University, Chittoor. The workshop was organized to help prepare students for industry by providing practical skills, employability skills, and all professional competencies needed to be successful in life. There was great enthusiasm from students, faculty, and coordinators resulting in a successful and engaging event. The Workshop began with an inaugural ceremony on March 26th, 2026, in the Auditorium at DR.PCRKC, by welcoming the dignitaries by a welcome address by Dr. C.Pakkiraiah, Faculty SoT.
The Keynote Speaker for the event was Mr. S. Dilli Babu, Founder & CEO of D.B.4 Cloud Technologies who was introduced by Dr.G.B. Hima Bindu, PC, CSE and Deputy Director, ICT. Mr.S.Dilli Babu spoke to the audience on the trends within the IT industry, and the need to have practical knowledge, solve problems and be able to communicate effectively to be employed. He also advised the students about how to perform well during interviews rather than having theoretical knowledge alone, how to write a good resume and how to maintain current knowledge on the needs of the industry.
During his address, Dr. H. Vinod Bhat, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and Chief Guest, stated that in today’s competitive market, just having academic knowledge won’t be enough to get ahead of the competition. He highlighted that students need to acquire industry-relevant skills such as teamwork, leadership, and good communication. He pointed out that there is still a significant difference between what we learn in classroom and what employers expect from individuals after graduation and complimented organisations holding such workshops as an important way of bridging that gap. He continued by stressing that our university is placing a great deal of emphasis on developing soft skills, Technical skills, internships/jobs, and career paths for complete development of an individual. He also advised the professors to engage the classes with hands-on experiences and practical exercises to bridge this gap.
The workshop was completed over two days with an agenda which was multi-faceted: it included interactive workshops, hands-on training, group activities, and real-time case studies. Students received work experience in a variety of areas so they could see what was expected of them in the workplace, and also gained confidence in themselves by way of developing the tools needed to successfully navigate their careers. Many of the activities that were utilised were aimed at improving critical thinking, collaboration and decision making skills. A heavy emphasis was placed on creation of communication, teamwork and adaptability, which are all essential to success in the world we live in.
Important dignitaries who were present at the event included Registrar Prof. M. Potharaju; Additional Registrar Mr. Anil Kumar S.; Dean Prof. D. Jagadeesan; Training & Placement Director, Dr. D. Gopi Bhushan; and Cooridors (Dr. G. B. Hima Bindu, Dr. C. Pakkiraiah, and Mr. Mohammad Imran, AD, Training). Their encouragement and support motivated the students to participate actively in the workshop.
On Day 1, technical domain training was the main activity, with students being introduced to the knowledge areas within the industry: Software Development, Generative AI, Data Analytics, and DevOps. Classes were grouped into teams whereby there were four inputs in series, and the rotating schedule ensured that the students were allowed to experience all four domains. These sessions included interactive components and hands-on work to give participants a foundation and clarity of the possible pathways one can take in one's career. The Day 2 program transitioned toward hands-on learning and career preparation. The sessions started with activities carried out in teams, including mini projects, coding tasks, and problem-solving exercises that invoked collaboration and critical thinking. Students then prepared demonstrations for their projects, which they presented to their fellow students and mentors alike to boost their confidence and presentation skills. The workshop ended with an interview guidance and open discussion session where the students received advice on career paths, interview preparation, and industry expectations. The workshops were organized and interesting enough to combine technical learning with skill development effectively.
The two-day workshop provided students with meaningful insight into industry practices as well as what is expected from them in the workplace. The practical and interactive nature of this event helped participants build the employability skills they will need to succeed in obtaining a job. The program demonstrated the university's commitment to linking academic learning with real-world application, providing its students with greater opportunity for success after graduation.