Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida Campus in collaboration with American Chemical Society (ACS) organized a Workshop on “Skilling Pathways for a Future-Ready Workforce”.
Deliberating upon the skills required for the industry, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Institute Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, averred, “Skill development is extremely important for the youth since they are the future of our country, and the world is changing at a rapid pace. Therefore, if the youth does not upgrade and enhance their skills, they will not be able to lead the country. Diversity, inclusion, problem-solving ability, digital skills, communication skills, ethics and responsibility, safety, reliability and risk management are some of the key skills which students and researchers must develop.”
Ms. LaTrease Garrison (ACS Remarks) Chief Operating Officer, American Chemical Society, stated, “ACS is committed to improving lives through the transforming power of chemistry, by focussing upon advancing scientific knowledge, empowering a global community, and championing scientific integrity. Today’s world is a world built on science and we offer a lot of programs for students and educators, thereby providing them with the right kind of opportunities to enhance their knowledge in the area of chemistry. Students must enrol in our programs and take full benefit since they are the CEOs of their future.”
Dr. Geeta Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR–NIScPR, opined, “This is the era of research and development and with new research in every field, a huge transformation can be experienced across the world, wherein science is being used for societal benefit. Problem-solving has been made easy only through science, research and innovation.” She called upon the students to always keep learning and working hard to achieve their goals.
Prof. Sunita Rattan, Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology & Director, Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, said, “The workshop will be highly beneficial for the students since they need to enhance their skills so that they can adapt to the evolving work environments. Also, the government is laying huge emphasis on skill development for women and youth, which is the need of the hour.”
Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Chair and Senior Advisor – NITI Aayog, said, “Current times are the best times for students since the opportunities are unlimited for them to expand their horizon. Knowledge is enhanced when it is exchanged freely. Technological revolution is shaping the industries today and it is extremely crucial to become technologically self-reliant. Industry-academia partnership needs to be increased, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary approach, collaboration and technological advancement.”
During the workshop, Dr. Deeksha Gupta, Director, Global Strategy for Society Programs, ACS International India introduced the initiatives by ACS. A brochure comprising of important information about ACS was also released.
On this occasion, Panel Discussion and Workshops on topics such as “Skills & Career Pathways”, “Positioning publications, patents, and projects for non‑academic audiences”, “Building a Competitive Professional Profile”, “Translating research experience into industry‑ and innovation‑ready CVs”, “Communicating skills beyond the lab: leadership, collaboration, problem‑solving” and “Building a strong digital professional presence (LinkedIn, research profiles, startup visibility)”, were also organized.