In a bold and necessary shift, engineering colleges across India are redefining how educators stay relevant in today’s rapidly changing tech landscape. Faculty members—traditionally known for staying within the academic ecosystem—are now stepping into real-world industry environments to upgrade their skills. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a movement. And it’s poised to transform the quality of technical education across the country.
At Edhirings.com, we believe this shift has wide-reaching implications for recruitment, curriculum design, and career readiness in India’s education sector.
The New Trend: Faculty as Interns in the Tech Industry
In states like Andhra Pradesh, engineering faculty are now participating in weekend tech internships and immersive bootcamps with top IT and deep tech companies. Leading the initiative is Tech Mahindra, in collaboration with the DeepTech Naipunya Foundation, which launched the Industry Immersion Programme for Faculty in Visakhapatnam.
In the pilot session alone, 50 engineering educators engaged in hands-on training in API development, guided by industry experts. Future sessions will cover AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and data analytics —areas that define today’s most in-demand job roles.
Why This Shift Matters
India’s engineering education system has long faced criticism for its outdated curricula and disconnect from industry needs. The solution? Bring faculty closer to the field.
This initiative accomplishes three key goals:
1. Bridging the Skills Gap
When faculty gain real-world experience, they better understand how theoretical concepts are applied in practice. This allows them to teach more relevant, updated content and produce industry-ready graduates.
2. Upgrading Curriculum from Within
Faculty with hands-on exposure to tools like Python frameworks, cloud platforms, or machine learning pipelines can redesign their course modules to reflect current market requirements.
3. Improving Placement Outcomes
With more aligned teaching, students will be better prepared for internships, placements, and competitive exams in tech industries—leading to higher employability scores for institutions.
Institutional Support Is Key
One major concern is: how do educators make time for internships while still teaching full-time?
- Forward-thinking colleges are finding solutions:
- Hiring adjunct lecturers or guest faculty to temporarily fill gaps
- Offering credit incentives or career benefits for faculty who complete upskilling programs
- Aligning semester breaks with immersion schedules
In doing so, they demonstrate a commitment to faculty development, which in turn boosts the institution’s academic reputation.
How It Affects Recruitment Trends in the Education Sector
At Edhirings.com, we’re already seeing how this shift is impacting hiring:
- Institutions are prioritizing candidates with both academic qualifications and industry certifications
- Job postings now highlight “hands-on experience in emerging technologies” as a desirable trait—even for teaching roles
- Edtech companies and universities are partnering more closely, leading to blended roles where educators may teach part-time and consult for industry
This evolution creates a more dynamic, versatile, and future-ready teaching workforce.
A Model for the Future
If India is to remain competitive in global tech innovation, it must start with its educators. Faculty training through real-world exposure ensures that students are not just learning, but learning what matters.
Also Read: Job Searching in a Competitive Market: 10 Smart Strategies That Work
This model—where teachers become learners in live tech environments—should be adopted nationwide, across disciplines. It’s the key to making higher education not just a degree factory, but a launchpad for innovation.
Final Thoughts from Edhirings.com
We believe this trend is not a moment—it’s a movement. And it’s one that aligns perfectly with our mission: to connect forward-thinking institutions with next- generation educators.
Whether you’re an institution looking to hire upskilled faculty, or an educator seeking growth in a changing landscape, Edhirings.com is your trusted hiring partner in the education sector.
Stay ahead of the trend—post jobs, find talent, and discover opportunities at www.edhirings.com
