Boosting Student Engagement: How LPU Curriculum Encourages Participation in Industry Conferences and Seminars

At Lovely Professional University (LPU), students are encouraged to engage in industry conferences, seminars, and workshops as part of their academic and professional development. By integrating these activities into the curriculum and providing various forms of support, LPU aims to foster a culture where students actively participate and benefit from these events.

Why LPU?

AT LPU, we believe that attending industry conferences and seminars is not only beneficial for career growth but also enhances practical knowledge and network building. These events are strategically incorporated into the academic framework, offering students credits, certificates, and other incentives that can be added to their resumes.

Curriculum Integration

LPU integrates industry events into the academic calendar as mandatory or elective courses depending on the students' program. For instance, students in management, engineering, law, and computer science often have mandatory attendance at specific industry events. Participation is evaluated to provide academic incentives for attending. This ensures that students are not only learning from theoretical knowledge but also gaining practical insights from industry experts.

On-Campus Industry Events

The university organizes numerous on-campus events, including seminars, workshops, and conferences, featuring industry leaders and professionals. These events cover topics such as emerging technologies, industry trends, career development, entrepreneurship, and business innovation. By bringing experts to campus, LPU makes it convenient for students to attend without disrupting their regular academic schedule.

Collaborations with Industry Leaders

LPU collaborates with leading companies, including Google, Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, and Amazon, to organize certification workshops and industry seminars on the latest technologies and business practices. These collaborations provide students with hands-on learning and direct interaction with industry professionals, adding significant value to their learning experience. This ensures that students are equipped with the latest industry knowledge and skills.

Participation in National and International Conferences

LPU encourages students to participate in national and international conferences, offering academic credits or certificates for attending and presenting in such forums. To support students, the university provides financial assistance and travel grants for these prestigious conferences. This financial support is especially motivating as it reduces the financial burden of attending these events.

Workshops Organized by Industry Bodies and Associations

Through partnerships with industry associations like NASSCOM, CII, FICCI, and TiE, LPU conducts workshops and seminars. These workshops help students understand current industry standards, regulatory practices, and innovative strategies. Participation often leads to networking opportunities and enhances students' employability by keeping them updated with the latest industry developments.

Special Industry Weeks and Summits

LPU organizes industry-focused weeks and summits, such as Tech Week for engineering and IT students and Management Conclave for MBA students. These events provide extensive exposure to a particular industry, offering networking opportunities, skill-building sessions, and career advice. By participating in these events, students gain in-depth knowledge and practical insights that are crucial for their professional growth.

Internship and Placement Preparation Workshops

In collaboration with the Placement Cell, LPU conducts workshops aimed at enhancing students' soft skills, technical skills, and interview preparedness. These workshops are often led by industry professionals and focus on CV building, interview techniques, and emerging job trends. Such preparation is highly motivating for students, as it provides practical advice and guidance for securing internships and final placements.

Student Clubs and Societies

LPU has several student-run clubs and professional societies across different departments that actively organize seminars and workshops throughout the year. Engineering clubs may host coding workshops, while management clubs may invite business leaders for interactive sessions. These clubs provide students with additional opportunities to participate in and organize industry-related events, fostering a sense of community and engagement.

Skill Development Workshops

The Center for Professional Enhancement (CPE) at LPU regularly conducts workshops on emerging technologies, soft skills, and career development. These sessions often focus on practical industry needs such as data analytics, AI, cloud computing, and digital marketing. Many of these workshops lead to industry-recognized certifications, making them attractive to students seeking to build their resumes.

Rewards and Recognition

To incentivize attendance at seminars and workshops, LPU offers certificates, academic credits, or even scholarships to students who actively participate. Recognition may also come in the form of merit-based awards or participation certificates, which are useful for student portfolios. The university often highlights these achievements during convocations, award ceremonies, and placement drives, reinforcing the importance of attending industry events.

Partnership with Global Institutions

LPU collaborates with global universities and organizations to conduct international seminars and webinars. These events give students access to global perspectives, best practices, and trends across industries. Through these partnerships, LPU ensures that students gain international exposure, which is increasingly valuable in a globalized economy.

Digital Platforms and Virtual Workshops

LPU has embraced the use of digital platforms and virtual learning to ensure that students can attend industry seminars and workshops from anywhere. The university frequently organizes webinars with global industry leaders on platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, making it easier for students to participate. This flexibility has increased student engagement, especially during times when on-campus events are not feasible.

Conclusion

At LPU, we understand that industry exposure is crucial for student success. Our comprehensive approach, which includes integrating industry events into the curriculum, providing ample on-campus opportunities, collaborating with industry leaders, and incentivizing attendance, ensures that students are consistently exposed to the latest industry trends, technologies, and professional practices. This prepares them for successful careers in their chosen fields.