Academic Leaders Unite to Reimagine the Future of Education at the conclave:‘From Campus to the World: The Employability Transition’in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, 30 June 2025: Federation University Australia, Employability.life and Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA), today co-hosted a summit ‘From Campus to the World: The Employability Transition’, in Chandigarh, India.  Academic leaders, industry pioneers, and senior education visionaries from across the state of Punjab gathered at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for a high-impact convention to discuss the transformation required in our education system to prepare students for global digital careers.

The forum focused on accelerating student readiness through experiential learning, AI-driven models, and robust industry-academia partnerships. A central theme was the integration of Future of Work micro-credentials, developed by Employability,life, and Federation University, providing tangible paths to Co-operative and Twinning degrees in Australia.

An engaging panel discussion titled ‘From Degrees to Digital Careers – Rethinking Future of Education’ featured distinguished thought leaders from Australian academia, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, industry, and leaders from universities in Punjab. Discussions centred around policy innovation, global employability, and the urgent need to equip students with both human and technical competencies.

Discussions included a panel, featuring experts from Australian academia and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, emphasising the urgent need to equip students with both human and technical competencies. The Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) strongly endorsed the summit’s objectives, affirming its commitment to promoting technical education and international collaboration.

The conclave’s association with the Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) reinstated the objectives of the conclave as it continues to promote technical education, attract international students, and foster collaboration among educational institutions in Punjab and other parts of the world. PUCA encourages the objective of the conclave and works towards transforming education by focusing on the employability of the students.

The event concluded with heartfelt learner testimonials, reinforcing the collective vision of transforming academic institutions into career launchpads.

During the session, we have captured some highlights:

Mr. Paul Oppenheimer, COO of Federation University Australia, shared: ‘We believe in careers that are shaped by industry, not just courses. Our Co-op education model integrates classroom learning with real-world work experience, giving students the best of both worlds. Together with Employability.life, we’re bringing this philosophy to India to empower every learner with Global readiness.’.

‘Today’s learners are not just looking for degrees; they are seeking a gateway to globally aligned careers. Our organization was built to make this transition seamless & sustainable. Our focus is to build industry capabilities inside a formal education structure, so that the graduates in India & Australia come out better prepared for the future of work’, said Mr. Raja Dasgupta, CEO, Employability.life. 

Dr. Anshu Kataria, President of PUCA, remarked: “India’s private colleges must rise to the occasion and participate in the global academic narrative. Collaborations like this one with Federation University and Employability.life will bring much-needed innovation to our institutions and support students in building employability focus careers in India & Australia.”

Dr. Manpreet Singh Manna, Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University stated: The convention has brought light into the urgent need for academic institutions to realign their curriculum with evolving industry needs. It is not just about imparting knowledge anymore, but about developing industry-integrated, skill-based learning ecosystems. Initiatives like these can serve as a turning point for Indian higher education to adopt global standards and foster a future-ready workforce.”

About Employability.life & Federation University
Employability.life, a fully owned subsidiary of Federation University Australia, is revolutionising education by integrating work-simulated learning with industry-aligned academic programs. This strategic partnership enhances opportunities for Indian learners, preparing them for the future of work as well as offering a seamless gateway to global education and careers. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, Federation University and Employability.life are shaping a new era of education where graduates are equipped with the knowledge required to build their digital economy careers.

For more queries, please connect with Ridhima Thareja (Branding & Marketing Manager) at rbedi@employability.life