The University of Aberdeen, Mumbai, hosted an invitation-only roundtable focused on how AI is reshaping the skills and roles expected of young professionals entering India's workforce. Convener Prof. Rahul Choudaha, the University’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasised the urgency of the topic and outlined plans to build strong industry partnerships to support career-ready talent for India's next decade.
Prof. Peter Edwards, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Aberdeen, highlighted the institution's 530+ year legacy of academic excellence, sustained through close engagement with employers and stakeholders. He noted that aligning learning outcomes with emerging workforce needs has been central to this approach.
As a professor of computer science and an AI scholar, Prof. Edwards stressed that AI should be embraced, not feared. He pointed out that future workplaces will require graduates to demonstrate strong AI proficiency, and that the University’s programmes are designed to proactively shape these capabilities through deliberately structured learning experiences. Discussions also addressed the rapid pace of AI development and the increasing importance of demonstrable skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Hiring practices are evolving in response, with tools like hackathons gaining traction as assessment methods.
To strengthen industry–academia collaboration, panellists called for more intentional engagement through guest lectures, experiential learning projects, and jointly reviewed curricula. They emphasised that industry must take an active role by contributing real-world insights, case examples, and meaningful input into academic programme design.
“Industry partnerships will be central to translating Aberdeen's global academic excellence into outcomes that are relevant to employer needs and to students' career ambitions.” Prof. Peter Edwards Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Aberdeen
