Taloja Industries Association (TIA) that represents Taloja MIDC, comprising of over 950 large, medium and small enterprises and employing over 3 lakh people, has signed Memorandum of Understanding with ten colleges functioning under the aegis of Mahatma Education Society’s (MES) Pillai Group of Institutions in Panvel and Rasayani. These higher education institutions span Architecture, Arts, Commerce & Science, Education, Engineering and Management streams.

MoU signing function was held at MES’s campuses at New Panvel and Rasayani under the stewardship of Mr. Satish Shetty, President, TIA and Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Founder-Chairman and CEO, Mahatma Education Society. MES, which is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, manages 48 schools and colleges across six campuses in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Mr. Shetty announced that both TIA and MES have taken this significant step to enable closer industry-academia interaction. Welcoming the distinguished members of the TIA Committee, Dr. Pillai stated that such collaborations will go a long way in filling the ‘employability gap’ that is currently faced by higher education institutions. Each college has entered into specific MoU with TIA and its constituent member units in a bid to create a WIN-WIN partnership. Dr. Priam Pillai, Chief Operating Officer, MES, briefed the TIA Committee members on the state-of-the-art resources, research facilities, testing equipment and facilities, etc. as well as current projects that are being undertaken at these institutions.

Definitive Documents, this MoU shall represent the entire understanding as to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede any prior understanding between the Parties on the subject matter hereof.

Up-gradation, innovation and competitiveness of an industry. Both parties believe that close co-operation between the two would be of major benefit to the student community to enhance their skills and knowledge Curriculum Design: Taloja Industrial Association will give valuable inputs to Pillai Group of Institutions in teaching / training methodology and suitably customize the curriculum so that the students fit into the industrial scenario meaningfully. Industrial Training: Scope of the MoU is to support the budding graduates from the institution could play a key role in technological & Visits. Industry and Institution interaction will give an insight into the latest developments / requirements of the industries; the Second Party to permit the Faculty and Students of the First Party to visit its group companies and also involve in Industrial Training Programs for the First Party. The industrial training and exposure provided to students and faculty through this association will build confidence and prepare the students to have a smooth transition from academic to working career. The Taloja Industrial Association will provide its Labs / Workshops / Industrial Sites for the hands-on training of the learners enrolled with Pillai Institute. Internships and Placement of Students: Taloja Industrial Association will actively engage to help the delivery of the Internship and placement of students of Pillai Group into Internships / Jobs, as per the requirements of the First Party. Research and Development: Both Parties have agreed to carry out the joint research activities in the fields of – Marketing Management, Finance Management, Human Resource Management, Systems Management, Operations Management and allied domain. Skill Development Programs: Taloja Industrial; Association to train the students of Pillai Group on the emerging technologies in order to bridge the skill gap and make them industry ready. Joint collaborative efforts to take up Environment related issues and projects with the help of students and faculty members through various drives and initiatives.

Guest Lectures: Taloja Industrial Association to extend the necessary support to deliver guest lecturers to the students of Pillai Group of Institutions on the technology trends and in house requirements. Faculty Development Programs: Taloja Industrial Association to train the Faculties of Pillai Group of Institutions for imparting industrial exposure / training as per the industrial requirement considering the National Occupational Standards in concerned sector, if available.

The members of TIA then undertook a guided tour of the various infrastructure and facilities at both the campuses of the Pillai Group.

Members present on behalf of Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, CEO, Mahatma Education Society; Dr. Priam Pillai, COO, Mahatma Education Society; Dr. Nivedita Shreyans, Director PR, Pillai Group of Institutions; Dr. Sandeep Joshi; Dr. Madumita Chaterjee; Dr. Pradip Chaterjee; Dr. Lata Menon; Dr. Sudynya Mahimkar; Dr. Suchita Sayaji; Dr. Gajanan Wader; Dr. P. S. Lokhande; Prof. Swati Ghosh; Mr. Amar Mange and Dr. Sally Enos.