From Campus to Career: LPU and Simplilearn on Building India's AI-Ready Workforce

As AI reshapes industries and hiring expectations, universities are under increasing pressure to prepare students with skills that go beyond traditional academics. Building job-ready graduates now requires stronger collaboration between academia and industry, practical learning experiences, and future-focused curricula.

In this episode of the Simplilearn University Leaders Forum, higher education and industry leaders discuss how universities can bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness. The conversation explores how AI and digital skills are being integrated into academic programs, the challenges of scaling industry-aligned learning, and the measurable impact of university-industry partnerships on student success.

Whether you're leading academic transformation or strengthening graduate employability, this session offers actionable insights into building an AI-ready workforce from the campus up.

What You Will Learn

• How universities can bridge the academia-industry gap to improve graduate employability.
• The AI and Machine Learning capabilities students need to succeed in today's job market.
• Best practices for scaling industry-aligned digital learning across large institutions.
• How universities can balance accreditation requirements with evolving employer expectations.
• The measurable impact of industry partnerships on placements, student engagement, and career outcomes.
• What the future of university-industry collaboration looks like in an AI-driven economy.

About the Speakers

Sami Anand

Associate Dean & Head – Training and Placement (CSE & IT), Lovely Professional University

Sami Anand leads training and placement initiatives for the CSE and IT schools at Lovely Professional University, driving industry engagement and student employability. He has extensive experience designing industry-aligned learning initiatives, strengthening university-industry partnerships, and preparing students with the digital and professional skills required for high-growth careers.

Prashant Gangwal

Senior Vice President, Commercial Product & Growth, Simplilearn

Prashant Gangwal leads commercial marketing, enterprise solutions, and strategic growth initiatives at Simplilearn. He works closely with universities and enterprise organizations to build scalable learning ecosystems that accelerate AI readiness, digital transformation, and workforce development through industry-aligned learning solutions. 

About Simplilearn University Leaders Forum

Where education and industry leaders share how they're building job-ready graduates through innovation, AI, and industry-aligned digital learning.

Organized by Simplilearn for Campus, the higher education division of Simplilearn, this series brings together university leaders and industry experts to discuss the future of higher education, employability, and workforce readiness.

With partnerships spanning leading universities and global technology organizations, Simplilearn for Business helps institutions strengthen digital learning through live expert-led classes, hands-on projects, cloud labs, and industry-recognized learning pathways across AI, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, and Project Management.

Who Should Watch

• Vice Chancellors
• Pro Vice Chancellors
• Deans and Heads of Departments
• Academic Directors
• Training and Placement Officers
• Industry Partnership Leaders
• Higher Education Decision Makers
• University Leaders driving curriculum transformation

Watch Now

Learn how leading universities are preparing AI-ready graduates, strengthening industry partnerships, and improving student employability through practical, industry-aligned digital learning.