Volvo India Collaborates with Indian Universities

Volvo Group India has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal University, KIIT University, and SRM University to offer postgraduate students mentorship programs and 50-75 internships annually.

The collaboration, a significant step towards strengthening industry-academia engagement, is designed to enhance students’ industry preparedness in the automotive sector. It offers a two-semester credit program on industry-specific subjects, providing a unique opportunity for postgraduates in mechanical, electrical, electronics, and computer science to gain practical knowledge. Moreover, the initiative includes internships and pre-placement offers, opening doors to real-world experience and potential job opportunities. 

Kamal Bali, President and MD of Volvo Group India, said, “In a year, we take approximately 50 to 75 Indians for internships, which last around six months for M-Tech students. Additionally, through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS), we engage nearly 100 individuals for year-long apprenticeships.”

Volvo Group India, a key player in this initiative, is committed to supporting the development of industry-ready professionals. They will train faculty members, conduct industry-specific sessions with seasoned professionals, and provide practical use cases and problem statements to enhance students’ practical knowledge. Additionally, they will offer scholarships to female students, promoting diversity and inclusion in the automotive industry. 

“For faculty, we are starting a one-month training program from Monday. Thirty people from different universities will be joining, and we expect another twenty by July, bringing the total to fifty,” he continued.

Volvo Group manufactures trucks, buses, construction equipment, marine and industrial engines, and finance and servicing options. The company employs 105,000 people, operates manufacturing plants in 18 countries, and sells its products in over 190 markets. Volvo Group India hires almost 100 freshers annually, with an average of 750 recruits over the last three years. 

“It’s not just Volvo, other companies in the automotive sector will also benefit from this collaboration. One of the main issues we face is the mismatch between the availability of jobs and the readiness of candidates. We seek to bridge this gap to ensure a better alignment between industry needs and workforce skills,” Bali added.