Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kurukshetra University for establishing channels of communication and cooperation that will promote and advance the system of printing and packaging education. The MoU between the Institute of Mass Communication & Media Technology and OPA was signed in the presence of Prof Som Nath Sachdeva, vice-chancellor of the university.
Speaking on the occasion, the vice-chancellor said that academia-industry relations are the first step to fulfill the dream of a self-reliant India. With these industry-academia relations, now the students will get an opportunity to get hands-on training in printing and packaging which will help them find good jobs, he said.
Kurukshetra University is one of the premier educational institutions of India. Established in 1956, the university is providing higher education to over half a million students on the campus and its affiliated colleges. The university has been awarded an A+ grade by NAAC and has been placed at 8th position amongst the state universities of the country in category – 1 by the ministry of MHRD and has also been granted academic autonomy.
Earlier introducing OPA, Parveen Aggarwal, the president said, “Academia must be the guiding force for the development of the industry. At OPA, it is our mission to persuade the youngsters to adopt printing as a career.”
OPA organizes Print Olympiad
Aggarwal added that he is thankful to the university because they are preparing the future printers under the project of ‘Print Chetna.’ OPA is on the front foot to encourage the printing students by organizing ‘Print Olympiad,’ the first of its kind talent hunt for printing in the world.
“Education is the backbone for the success of the industry and with this collaboration, it will be possible to train the students in future print technologies,” he added. “The doors of the industry are open to provide practical training as per the syllabus, OPA will ensure the practical training of the students in the factories of its members.”
Prof Manjula Chaudhary, dean Academic Affairs of the university said that it is necessary to design the education and training as per the industry requirements. She said, “I am happy to see this understanding between academia and industry and I do hope that this collaboration will produce excellent results.”
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Kamal Chopra, chairman World Print & Communication Forum and president All India Federation of Master Printers said, there are ample opportunities available for the talented manpower in the printing and packaging sector. It is the first step to bridge the gap and at the same time the right step for the ‘Áatam Nirbhar Bharat’ scheme introduced by the prime minister recently.
Describing the key points of the agreement, Prof Bindu Sharma, director, Institute of Mass Communication and Media Technology said, “This cooperation will facilitate effective utilization of the intellectual capabilities of the faculty and the industry in developing suitable teaching/training systems, keeping in mind the needs of the industry.” She added that taking into view the new education policy of the government of India curriculum will be designed as per the need of the industry so that there may not be any difficulty for the placements. Later Prof Kamal Chopra and the team of OPA visited the Institute of Mass Communication & Media Technology to interact with the faculty members.
