Lokesh launches industry-linked Sricity International University in Tirupati

Minister for Education, IT & Electronics Nara Lokesh formally launched Sricity International University (SIU) at Sri City in Tirupati district on Thursday.

The new institution set up in the midst of industries is hailed as a departure from the traditional model, where academia and industry meet face-to-face daily and where the academic curriculum is designed in tune with the industry’s needs.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lokesh acknowledged that the SIU’s curriculum is co-designed with industry partners and reviewed annually to keep pace with the rapid technological advances, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), would be more contemporary in nature.

While industries across sectors constantly complain of graduates who are not ‘job-ready’, the students, on the other hand, fail to get equipped with the skills required by the industry. It is this mismatch that SIU seeks to overcome and bridge the gap by integrating employers into every stage of the learning process”, Mr. Lokesh said.

“Universities cannot remain oblivious to the fact that the technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. By updating their curriculum once every few years, the institutions can not expect the graduates to remain relevant. Similarly, industry is required to become an educational partner, rather than donning the role of a final recruiter”, he pointed out.

SIU will adopt a Work-Study dual model, under which students spend a third of their time in classrooms and the remaining hours under the guidance of industry partners. Students will be given paid internships, starting with a minimum monthly stipend of ₹10,000, during their course. By the time they graduate, they would have gained over two years of real industry experience, which improves their chances of employability.

With more than 200 companies representing 30 countries, Sri City’s globally integrated industrial ecosystem representing electronics, automotive, engineering, logistics, advanced manufacturing and allied sectors is cited to be the inspiration behind the establishment of SIU.

‘Station-S’, an on-campus incubation centre is also established at the university to ensure transformation of the future graduates into job creators. With already 10 startups in partnership with Gnan Circle Ventures, a Category-I venture capital fund, the varsity places equal emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, communication and leadership, alongside technical education.

SIU offers undergraduate programs in CSE, advanced manufacturing, finance & accounts and digital media & communications from the academic year 2026-27.

SIU Governing Board Chairman Srini Raju also took part.