Sri City: Andhra Pradesh unveiled a new industry-integrated model of higher education with the launch of Sricity International University (SIU), where industry partners will play a direct role in designing academic curricula and shaping student training to meet the demands of an AI-driven economy.
Shift from conventional academics
Launching the university at Sri City, Minister for Education, IT, Electronics, Communications and RTG Nara Lokesh said SIU represents a major shift from the conventional university system by placing industry at the centre of the learning process.
He noted that while India produces more than nine million graduates annually, employability remains a significant challenge, with industries facing a shortage of job-ready talent even as many graduates struggle to secure suitable employment.
SIU, he said, aims to bridge this gap through close collaboration between academia and industry.
Academic programmes under industry leaders
Under the new model, academic programmes will be co-designed by industry partners and reviewed annually to keep pace with developments in Artificial Intelligence, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
Industry leaders will contribute to curriculum development, practical training, projects and competency standards to ensure students acquire skills relevant to emerging job markets.
Lokesh said universities can no longer afford to revise curricula only once every few years when technology is evolving rapidly.
Work-Study Dual Model
He emphasised that employers should become active partners in education rather than merely recruiters, enabling graduates to enter the workforce with industry-relevant skills from day one.
A key feature of the university will be its Work-Study Dual Model, under which students will spend about one-third of their time in classrooms and the remaining period working with industry partners.
Students will begin paid internships from their first year, with a minimum monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 and opportunities for higher earnings based on performance and productivity.
Hands-on industry exposure
According to the university's plan, students are expected to graduate with more than two years of industry experience, significantly enhancing their employment prospects.
The initiative leverages Sri City's industrial ecosystem, which hosts over 200 companies from more than 30 countries across sectors such as electronics, automotive, engineering, logistics and advanced manufacturing.
This ecosystem will enable students to combine academic learning with hands-on industry exposure.
To promote entrepreneurship, the university has also established 'Station-S,' an incubation centre that is currently supporting around 10 startups in partnership with Gnan Circle Ventures, a Category-I Venture Capital Fund. Alongside technical education, the institution will focus on entrepreneurial skills, innovation, communication and leadership development.
Admissions
SIU will begin admissions for the 2026-27 academic year with undergraduate programmes in Computer Science and Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing, Finance and Accounts, and Digital Media and Communications.
Officials said the university has been designed as a future-ready institution that integrates industry participation, workplace learning and entrepreneurship, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a pioneer in reimagining higher education for the evolving global economy.