Corporate - Academia Collaboration: Bridging the Skills Gap in a Rapidly Changing Workforce
Hosted by Wisdom Tree | JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity
Wisdom Tree organized an engaging roundtable discussion titled “Corporate–Academia Collaboration: Bridging the Skills Gap in a Rapidly Changing Workforce.” The event brought together prominent leaders from academia and industry to explore how closer collaboration can redefine workforce readiness for the future.
With participation from academic institutions such as Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Ashoka University, Great Lakes Institute of Management (Gurgaon), and organizations like Karmayogi Bharat and IMA India, alongside corporate representatives from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Peak XV Partners, Shiprocket, MakeMyTrip, Rupyy, and others, the session served as a powerful platform for rethinking industry - education alignment.
Key Themes and Insights
AI Skills Over Degrees
Participants highlighted a growing shift in hiring—from formal academic credentials to demonstrated technical capability. Companies now value practical AI experience and problem-solving ability over traditional qualifications.Takeaway: AI is democratizing opportunity by empowering individuals from all backgrounds to contribute through applied skills.
Entrepreneurship Among Students
The discussion underscored how young innovators are leveraging AI to create startups earlier than ever. A growing majority of students aspire to be job creators rather than job seekers.Takeaway: The next wave of innovation will be powered by youth entrepreneurship and AI-driven scalability.
AI Literacy Across Disciplines
AI is no longer confined to computer science - it is a core competency in business, operations, and strategy. Organizations are embedding AI education across teams to improve decision-making and innovation. Takeaway: Every professional role increasingly demands AI awareness, regardless of technical background.
Hiring Based on Portfolios
Recruitment strategies are evolving to focus on demonstrable projects and outcomes. Hands-on work, code repositories, and innovation portfolios now carry greater weight than academic transcripts. Takeaway: Real-world impact and execution matter more than credentials—skills now outshine degrees.
Mid-Career Upskilling
Business leaders emphasized the urgency of reskilling mid-level employees for AI-integrated workflows. Forward-looking organizations are investing heavily in training programs to embed an “AI Mindset.” Takeaway: Continuous learning is essential for professionals to thrive in AI-augmented environments.