The First Academia- Industry Conclave was inaugurated on 7th February, 2025, at Maratha Mandal Engineering College, Belagavi. 72 Industries participated in the Conclave and Principals from eight other colleges were present as guests.
Shri. Nagaraju Yadav , Maratha Mandal Board Trustee and MLC was the Chief Guest. Shri Mohammad Roshan , Deputy Commissioner, Belagavi and Shri. Muralidhar Rao of ACE designers, Bengaluru were the Guest of Honour. Shri L. S. Umesh, CEO of ACE designers gave the Key Note address. Shri Nagarmunolli, Shri Anand Desai from the industry were on the dias. Dr. Rajshree Nagaraju, President of Maratha Mandal Presided over.
In his inaugural address, Shri Nagaraju Yadav stressed the need to develop collaborations between Engineering Colleges and the Industry. For a city to develop, there needs to be a favorable ecosystem to promote Tiny and Micro industries. This will also promote entrepreneurship. He said that it is important for the industry also to give back to the society. The industry and Academia should have a futuristic vision of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. This field will prosper in near future and after Bengaluru, Belagavi must become an AI hub.
Shri Mohammad Roshan said that the government has been trying to resolve the industry issues. He said that there is scarcity of industrial land and the college is giving an opportunity to entrepreneurs to have their startups and industry. He said that this a novel and innovative way of bringing Industry to the campus.
Shri L. S Umesh said that anything is possible if you dream. He explained how they started manufacturing machines in a small way and are today the worlds largest CNC Manufacturing industry. There has to be a trust factor between two collaborators that is Industry and Academia. He said that he will support the initiative taken by Maratha Mandal in starting and operating the industrial units in campus.
Shri Muraldhar Rao said that a country like China can set up an industry hub, a metro and a food court in just nine months then what stops us from starting a Tiny and Micro industry hub in the Maratha Mandal campus!. Where there is a selfless intention, all should put the effort. He promoted the concept of Partnership, Reinvention, Interaction, curriculum refinement and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. D. G. Kulkarni said that more than 10 Acres of land is available in the college campus to develop an industrial startup hub that will encourage youngsters to set up their industry. The institute will make efforts to provide custom made shed to the industry aspirants. He suggested that the Industry and Academia should have an association together instead of working in silos.
The industry personnel joined in the discussions. They said that they will be keen in providing internships, training and will facilitate the faculty and students to visit the industry and get trained. They also showed their interest in starting collaborative research in Electronics and Artificial Intelligence. Real Life industrial problems will be provided to the students and the industry will guide them personally.
Mr. Nagarmunolli said that all students rush for Computer Science, but without Mechanical, Electronics and Robotics the industries cannot work. He said that the members of Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries would support this unique initiative taken in Karnataka because they feel that it is a pride of Belagavi. They also felicitated Dr. Rajshree Nagaraju for taking the daring step and being the first person to have a vision of “ Industry in Campus” .
After the discussions, five MOUs were signed and exchanged between Maratha Mandal Engineering college with : SARUS Aerospace (Manufacturers of Drones) , MARS Engineering Corporation, RIVOT EV Motors ( Manufacturers of Electrical Vehicles), PTP CNC Tooling and AROMA Elephants.
In her Presidential remark,Dr. Rajeshree Nagaraju ,President of Maratha Mandal , appealed to the industry people and the budding entrepreneurs to come to Maratha Mandal Engineering Campus and set up their industry. All the support will be provided. This initiative is also open to any student of any institution. It is an opportunity for students to also “ Earn and Learn”. The industry in Campus concept will help the students in Development of Skills and can also undergo the internships in the college campus itself. Maratha Mandal believes in Shiksha, Sanskriti and Sanskara”. She said that the vision of Maratha Mandal for 2031 ( 100 years) is a Vikasit Belagavi, and this can happen only when the Industry and Academia Connect, Collaborate, Commit and Create a healthy ecosystem for Research, Patents and business.
The Conclave was supported by the members of Maratha Mandal – Shri Laxmanrao Sainuche, Shri Ramchandrarao Modgekar and Shri Dinkarao Oulkar. The Conclave was anchored by Dr. Suresh Mashyal, Dr. Shubha Baravani, Prof. Chetana Bhagoji, Prof Swati Patil, Prof. Revan and staff and students of the institute.
