Industry Leaders and Academicians Blueprint the Future of Indian Talent at Centurion University’s Leadership Dialogue CHROs from Accenture, Infosys, Cognizant, and Tech Mahindra emphasize “Skill-First” hiring for a Viksit Bharat
Bhubaneswer, Apr 14: Centurion University successfully concluded its high-profile “Future Skills & Human Capital Leadership Dialogue” bringing together a powerhouse of industry veterans to chart the roadmap for India’s next generation of professionals. The event served as a strategic melting pot for ideas aimed at realizing the Viksit Bharat vision through transformative human capital development.
The day commenced with a compelling welcome address by Dr. Anita Patra, Registrar, who set the stage by highlighting how the university’s DNA is aligned with national goals. “Our mission is to ensure that the youth of Odisha and India are not just degree holders, but are equipped with the specialized competencies required by a 2026 global economy,” she stated.
Inside the Sessions: Bridging the Talent Gap
Session I: Navigating New Career Trajectories The morning session, moderated by Dr. Ajay Kumar Nayak (Pro-Vice Chancellor), delved into the shifting sands of entry-level recruitment. Mr. Satyaprem Mohanty (Accenture) and Mr. Sobby Pothen Kurain (ANZ Group) emphasized that industry expectations have moved beyond academic scores toward “cognitive agility” and “digital fluency.”
The panel reached a consensus that first-time entrants must embrace a “continuous learning” mindset to survive rapid technological disruptions. The session concluded with a vibrant Q&A where students engaged directly with Mr. Dharmaraj Nayak (Tech Mahindra) and Mr. Sridhar Reddy (Cyient) on the impact of AI on future job roles.
Session II: Leadership and Resilient Frameworks In the afternoon, Prof. KVD Prakash (Dean HRD) led a deep dive into organizational culture. Mr. Manmohan Singh Kalsy (Inbrew Beverages) and Ms. Bobby Pattnaik (Infosys) shared practical frameworks for building adaptable workforces.
A standout theme of the discussion was the “Actionable Insight” on industry-academia synergy. Mr. Avik Chakraborty (Cognizant) and Ms. Sudesna Nayak (ESSPL) argued that universities must function as “extended R&D arms” for corporations to accelerate talent readiness. Mr. Sasidhar Ambatipudi (Pegasystems) noted that resilience is the “new currency” for high-performing employees in a post-volatile market.
A Vision for the Future
In a powerful keynote address, Mr. Debasish Panda (T&P Head), underscored the university’s role as a pioneer in skill-integrated education.
“The gap between potential and productivity can only be bridged by a ‘Future Ready’ curriculum. Today’s dialogue proves that when industry and academia speak the same language, the Indian youth become unstoppable,” said Mr. Panda.
