Odisha university signs MoU with fintech company to enhance academia-industry collaboration

Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, Deemed to be University, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Broadbridge Financial Solutions, the global fintech leader with a strong presence in India's innovation and financial technology sector, to strengthen industry-academia collaboration.

The MoU was exchanged by SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda and Broadbridge India HR Head Ritu Rakhra in the presence of top leaders from both institutions.

The event also included interactive sessions with students where Broadbridge officials highlighted emerging trends in financial technologies, evolving career opportunities, and evolving skills landscape.

Early career development of Broadbridge is done through campus events, innovation competitions, mentoring, and skilling initiatives. The alliance accords with Broadbridge's aim to prepare professionals of the future with adequate, real-world experience.

The alliance is also a significant step by SOA in further integrating theoretical learning with industry applications. With this alliance, both the institutions aimed at reducing the mismatch between industry needs and academic education by providing experiential learning, exposure to leading-edge technologies, and training on specific subjects.

SOA and Broadbridge will collaborate on the creation of industry-specific training programs through the introduction of updated tools and trends, guest lectures, industry-takeover sessions, and expert guidance sessions while providing students with internship exposure and potential career paths, according to the MOU.

"This is a follow-up of SOA's ongoing attempt to meaningfully engage industry partners and make our students future-ready through experiential learning," said Prof Nanda after signing the MoU.

Ms Rakhra stated that Broadbridge was elated to partner with SOA since the agreement reflected the company's vision of developing talent and stimulating innovation by closely working with institutions of learning.

SOA has actively sought such partnerships in IT and core sectors to empower the students to gain relevant, hands-on skills, stated Mr Ripti Ranjan Dash, Director, Corporate Relations and Industry Engagement at SOA.

"The MoU reiterates our commitment to developing industry-ready professionals through exposure beyond the curriculum," said Mr Dash.

The collaboration, Prof Nanda added, was set to significantly enhance employability among students, enhance applied research, and drive innovation-led learning, becoming an exemplar for successful industry-academia partnership in the region.

"With our intention to combine SOA's academic brilliance with Broadbridge's global exposure to financial technology, we can create a future-proof talent pool, having industry-relevant skills, hands-on experience and a creative mindset," he added.