From Our Correspondent
Sri City (Tirupati district): Newly inaugurated Sri City International University (SIU) has outlined an ambitious education model that seeks to redefine higher education by combining classroom learning with paid industry experience from the first year, positioning itself as a direct response to India’s growing employability challenge.
The university, inaugurated on Wednesday by Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development and IT Nara Lokesh, is located within the 10,000-acre Sri City industrial township, home to more than 230 companies from over 30 countries.
While the establishment of the university had been announced earlier, the inaugural event revealed several new details about its academic model, industry partnerships and long-term vision.
‘Learn, Earn, Graduate’ framework
Addressing the gathering, Lokesh unveiled what he described as the “Learn, Earn and Graduate (LEG)” model, under which students will combine academic studies with structured industry internships throughout their degree programme.
“The days when a degree alone guaranteed employment are over. Education must be closely integrated with industry,” he said.
The Minister said the Andhra Pradesh government wants Sri City to evolve into one of India’s largest industrial ecosystems and create another 75,000 jobs by 2029. He also reiterated the state’s “3S” governance model — Speed, Stability and Service — to ensure faster approvals for investors.
Referring to India’s young population, Lokesh said nearly 65% of Indians are below the age of 35, making skill development critical to achieving Andhra Pradesh’s long-term goal of becoming a $2.4-trillion economy by 2047.
Focus on the ‘other 95%’
SIU Chairman Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju said the university has been designed to address a major gap in India’s higher education system.
“While the top 5% of students secure admission into institutions like the IITs and NITs, the remaining 95% often graduate without the skills employers require,” he said.
According to him, more than half of India’s graduates are considered inadequately prepared for industry, forcing companies to spend months on retraining new recruits.
The university aims to bridge this gap by adopting work-integrated education models inspired by successful systems in Germany and Canada, while tailoring them to Indian industry requirements.
Paid internships from first year
One of SIU’s biggest differentiators is its mandatory internship programme.
Every student will undergo structured internships with companies operating within Sri City from the first year itself, enabling them to gain practical experience alongside classroom education.
Students will also receive a monthly stipend starting from ₹10,000, helping reduce the financial burden on families while providing real workplace exposure before graduation.
AI and human skills at the core
Technology leaders and global advisors participating in the inauguration stressed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can no longer be treated as an optional subject.
They said AI literacy would become a foundational skill for future graduates, alongside strong analytical ability, critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration—capabilities that remain uniquely human even as automation expands.
The advisors observed that industries worldwide face a shortage of AI-ready talent despite the rapid growth of technology-led businesses.
Startup ecosystem on campus
The university also showcased its entrepreneurship ecosystem through Stations S, its in-house startup incubator launched in 2025.
According to SIU, the incubator has already helped launch more than 10 student-led startups across sectors including precision engineering, retail and technology infrastructure.
International participation
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior representatives from over 30 Japanese companies and more than 20 Korean companies, reflecting Sri City’s strong international manufacturing base and its growing role in linking higher education with global industry.
With its emphasis on paid internships, industry-integrated learning, AI readiness and entrepreneurship, Sri City International University is seeking to position itself as a new model for higher education that produces graduates who are workforce-ready from day one.