In an exclusive interaction with CXO Media and APAC Media, Prof (Dr) Dharmesh Shah, Provost, Indrashil University, explains the technology focus of the industry ranging from AI, semiconductor chip design to chemical engineering techniques. He outlines the dynamic collaboration of the university with the industry and how emerging tech would redefine the future training paradigm.
What are the dynamics of Indrashil University, being an educational initiative of Cadila Pharma?
Indrashil University stands as one of India’s few institutions directly promoted by a global pharmaceutical leader—Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. This unique genesis positions us at the convergence of industrial relevance and academic rigour. Cadila’s vast global operations in APIs, formulations, and biotechnology provide a real-world lens to our teaching, research and training. Our faculty members frequently engage with Cadila’s R&D scientists, while our students participate in case-based learning rooted in current industry challenges—be it drug discovery, regulatory compliance, or pharmacovigilance.
Our technical programs in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical and Bioengineering, and Computer Science & AI are designed with a sharp focus on application, compliance, and innovation.
Beyond Cadila, this strong foundational linkage helps us establish deeper partnerships with other industries, enabling robust platforms for internships, industry challenges, expert-led workshops, and insight into future technologies and regulatory landscapes. As a result, our academic ecosystem nurtures talent that is not only grounded in scientific theory but also well-versed in industry timelines, global standards, and innovation pipelines, making our graduates highly competitive in India and abroad.
Talking of industry-academia collaboration, how are you managing issues like industry visits, meaningful internships and industry leaders visiting as faculties?
At Indrashil University, industry-academia collaboration is a foundational pillar, not just an initiative. As a university promoted by Cadila Pharmaceuticals, we benefit from a rare level of access to real-world laboratories, manufacturing floors, and regulatory teams. This direct connection has allowed us to institutionalise collaborations that go far beyond internships—they shape the way we teach, assess, and innovate.
Our students across all programs are exposed to live industrial environments through structured Industry Immersion Modules. These include internships, problem-based industry projects, site visits, and mentorship from practising professionals.
We have also introduced the “Professor of Practice” model, where experienced industry professionals serve as adjunct faculty. These experts bring direct insights from R&D, manufacturing, clinical research, and regulatory affairs into the classroom. This is helping us to narrow down the theory-practice gap and make our courses both contemporary and outcome-oriented.
The Corporate Relations division at Indrashil University ensures that curriculum, training, and research are continuously informed by emerging technologies, global compliance norms, and sector-specific skill gaps. This approach has resulted in over 85 per cent of students securing internships, with many converting into pre-placement offers or full-time employment, particularly in roles that demand applied knowledge and regulatory understanding.
Through these efforts, Indrashil University is setting a benchmark for what true, integrated industry- academia engagement should look like—mutually beneficial, innovation-led, and deeply aligned to national and global priorities.
How do you ensure revisions in academic curricula to incorporate industry updates that happen on a rapid scale?
At Indrashil University, curriculum development is a carefully governed and thoughtfully executed process. Rather than reacting to trends superficially, we rely on a structured mechanism led by academic governance and strategic industry input. Our Board of Management and Governing Body, comprised of senior academicians, researchers, and industry leaders, plays a vital role in steering our long-term academic direction.
Curriculum revisions are conducted through our Board of Studies (BoS), which includes seasoned faculty, industry professionals, and alumni. This ensures our academic programs are regularly reviewed and aligned with evolving industry requirements—not just locally, but with a global outlook. For example, inputs from pharma professionals have helped us integrate modules on regulatory compliance, Pharmacoeconomics, and GMP auditing within life science and pharmacy programs. Similarly, IT and process automation professionals have contributed to refining our Computer Science and Chemical Engineering courses with elements of data analytics, control systems, and real-time industrial automation.
We have also initiated strategic academic partnerships with national and international institutions to co-develop specialised modules and collaborative learning experiences. These alliances have enriched our curriculum with global best practices, research linkages, and cross-border perspectives. Moreover, we have started offering short-term certification programs and bridge courses, co-designed with industry partners, particularly in areas like pharma field operations, clinical research, Environment & Health Safety, Data Analytics, etc. These are intended to provide focused, skill-oriented training that complements formal degree programs.
In essence, our approach to curriculum adaptation is not just about keeping up with trends—it is about anticipating future industry needs while grounding academic content in real-world applications, guided by experienced professionals and institutional wisdom.
What are the major initiatives under R&D that Indrashil University is focusing on, especially after more than Rs 3 crore in research grants from the government?
At Indrashil University, we approach research not just as an academic mandate but as a tool for creating meaningful societal and industrial impact. Our focus has always been on fostering practical, applicable, and ethically sound research across life sciences, chemical engineering, pharmacy, and data sciences. Our research ecosystem is evolving with a clear strategy: build foundational capacity, nurture collaborative teams, and encourage interdisciplinary thinking.
We’ve received over Rs. 3.2 crore in research funding, much of which is strategically invested in strengthening infrastructure, such as upgrading analytical labs; acquiring high-end equipment like NMR, HPLC, FTIR, and fluorescence microscopy; and building dedicated research spaces for student-faculty projects. Our researchers are actively working in priority areas, and their efforts have led to publications in highly reputed peer-reviewed journals, mainly indexed in SCOPUS and Web of Science. Importantly, we emphasise research quality and utility over volume, encouraging faculty and students to pursue work that can transition into real-world applications. Our research outcomes have also been recognised as granted patents and have laid the groundwork for promoting intellectual property awareness and protection among early-career researchers.
In terms of innovation, our on-campus incubation facility supports student and faculty-led startups through mentoring, seed support, and access to lab infrastructure. Our long-term research strategy is guided by the belief that purpose-driven research supported by infrastructure, policy, and culture can lead to transformative outcomes. With continued investment and industry alignment, we aim to position Indrashil University as a reliable contributor to India’s scientific and innovation ecosystem, especially in life sciences and sustainable technologies.
What are the objectives of the 2025 Semiconductor Chip Design Conference?
Indrashil University is proud to be at the forefront of Gujarat’s emerging roadmap to become a semiconductor and electronic design innovation hub. In line with India’s national semiconductor mission, we are organising the Semiconductor Chip Design Conference 2025, which aims to catalyse capacity-building, research collaboration, and policy discourse around VLSI design, embedded systems, and chip-level innovation.
The primary objective of the conference is to bring together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to define a region-specific talent and innovation strategy. Gujarat already houses a growing electronics manufacturing base, and this conference will support the vision of making the state a key contributor to India’s semiconductor value chain, not just in assembly but in design, IP creation and fabrication readiness.
The event will serve as a launchpad for our upcoming Semiconductor Research and Innovation Cell at Indrashil University. This cell will focus on building core competencies in chip design fundamentals, low-power architecture, and fabrication technologies, with hands-on exposure through simulation labs and industry-supported design tools. It will also offer training modules for faculty upskilling and student certification programs in collaboration with domain experts and industry partners.
The conference will also spotlight Gujarat’s potential for building a talent pipeline, enabling policy dialogue, and identifying research-industry linkages that are crucial to localising high-value semiconductor design in the state.
In essence, the Semiconductor Chip Design Conference 2025 is not a standalone event, it is a strategic step toward positioning Indrashil University as a centre of excellence and Gujarat as a knowledge-led node in India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Our 2025 Semiconductor Chip Design Conference, scheduled for June this year, is envisioned as a national platform to:
- Bring together experts from VLSI, embedded systems, and materials engineering,
- Launch our Semiconductor Research and Innovation Cell, and
- Introduce students to the practical aspects of chip prototyping, logic design, and fabrication technologies.
We are partnering with startups in India’s Silicon Valley ecosystem and government agencies such as MeitY and AICTE, aiming to train over 500 students and faculty through boot camps, hackathons, and design challenges. This initiative is directly aligned with the ‘Make in India Semiconductor Vision 2047, ’ and we intend to play a catalytic role in creating India’s chip design talent pool.
How is Indrashil University leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance the quality of training imparted?
At Indrashil University, we view AI, data science, and emerging technologies as cross-disciplinary enablers. We have initiated discussions on domain-specific integration like AI in drug discovery, predictive analytics in pharma logistics, and bioinformatics tools in life sciences. On the engineering front, students are engaged in Iot-based system design, digital twins, AI-based support services for Community, AI-driven maintenance modelling, etc.
Our vision is to become an AI & Emerging Tech Innovation Hub that offers interdisciplinary research, industry-driven projects, and skill-based certifications. The focus is on building faculty expertise, creating modular learning pathways, and ensuring students are prepared to lead in a tech-driven future. We believe AI is not just a skill; it is a mindset of augmentation, and Indrashil University is nurturing this from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
Rajneesh De & Janvi Chauhan
