Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Institute of Environment Education and Research (BVIEER), in collaboration with Esri India and the GIS Academia Council of India, organised a Roundtable on "Reimagining Industry–Academia Collaboration for Emerging Technologies." The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Shamita Kumar, Principal, BVIEER, and brought together leaders from academia, industry, and the geospatial community to deliberate on the future of higher education in the context of emerging technologies.
The discussions moved beyond the conventional focus on "skill gaps" to examine a more fundamental question: whether higher education is preparing students merely to use technological tools or enabling them to think critically and solve complex real-world problems. Demonstrations of GeoAI, drone and sensor-integrated GIS, and 3D digital twins highlighted the rapid pace of technological change and reinforced the importance of developing enduring competencies such as problem-solving, systems thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
Participants emphasised that curricula must evolve through stronger industry engagement, live problem statements, and experiential learning, while also providing greater opportunities for faculty to engage with industry. A key outcome of the roundtable was the recognition that education must move beyond interdisciplinary approaches towards transdisciplinary learning, where industry, government, application sectors, and communities collaborate to address real societal challenges through emerging technologies.
The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to co-create future-ready education models aligned with the vision of NEP 2020, fostering innovation, collaboration, and the responsible application of emerging technologies. The event was attended by several distinguished experts, representatives from academia, industry, and the geospatial ecosystem.