Chennai, May 27: As Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and emerging technologies continue to reshape the global workforce, students are increasingly prioritising employability, industry relevance and future-ready skills while making higher education choices. Reflecting this transformation in engineering education and hiring trends, KCG College of Technology hosted its annual Industry Day and Placement Awards, bringing together industry leaders, recruiters, academicians and students for discussions on the future of engineering careers in an AI-driven world.
Addressing students during Industry Day, Chief Guest Mr. C.R. Ashok, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Ardelisys Technologies Pvt. Ltd., emphasised that while Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and communication, individuality, creativity and human thinking will continue to remain essential for long-term professional success.
Mr. C.R. Ashok, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Ardelisys Technologies Pvt. Ltd., said,
“AI can support productivity and enhance human capability, but students must ensure that technology does not overshadow originality, independent thinking and creativity. Communication skills, confidence and the ability to express ideas effectively will remain among the most important differentiators in the workplace.”
Encouraging students to actively participate in seminars, presentations and discussions to overcome stage fear and build confidence, he added, “Innovative ideas and talent often remain unnoticed unless individuals learn to communicate effectively. Students today must prepare themselves not only technically, but also mentally and professionally for rapidly evolving work environments.”
A major highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion on “Human Skills vs Technical Skills: What Will Get Engineers Hired by 2030?”, moderated by Mr. Sudarsan Ranganathan, Founder and Director, Maaya Analytics. The distinguished panel comprised Mr. Kannan Sugantharaman, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Mastech Digital; Ms. Kavitha Mani, Senior Manager – HR, OJ Commerce and alumna of KCG College of Technology; Mr. Madhavan Parthasarathy, Managing Director and CEO, Kripya Solutions; Ms. Rupa Ramamurthy, Senior Executive Vice President – Global Banking SME and Service Lead, Teleperformance; and Mr. Marimuthu, Associate Director, Tessolve.
The discussion explored the rapidly changing expectations of employers in an era increasingly influenced by Artificial Intelligence, automation and digital transformation. Panellists observed that while technical expertise remains fundamental to engineering careers, organisations are increasingly prioritising human-centric capabilities such as communication, adaptability, teamwork, leadership and critical thinking as key determinants of employability.
Industry leaders noted that engineering graduates are no longer evaluated solely on academic performance or coding proficiency, with recruiters now seeking candidates who demonstrate workplace readiness, problem-solving abilities and the capacity to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary environments. Communication skills emerged as one of the most significant employability factors, with experts emphasising the importance of presenting ideas confidently, articulating technical concepts clearly and participating actively in professional discussions.
The panel further highlighted that while AI is expected to significantly transform industries and enhance productivity, technology cannot replace originality, emotional intelligence, creativity and human judgement. Students were encouraged to leverage AI responsibly as a productivity enabler while continuing to strengthen independent thinking, adaptability and innovation. Panellists also underscored the importance of hands-on learning, practical exposure and industry-oriented projects in developing workplace confidence and technical competence.
Academic dignitaries present included Dr. R. Chandramohan, Dean – Industry Partnership & Corporate Affairs; Edward Kennedy, Dean – IQAC; Dr. G. Prabhakaran, Principal In-Charge; and various Heads of Departments, who participated in the event alongside students, faculty members and industry representatives.
Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman, Hindustan Group of Institutions, said,
“Engineering education today must move beyond conventional academic preparation. Institutions have a larger responsibility to nurture graduates who possess confidence, adaptability, professional readiness and the ability to thrive in rapidly changing global environments. Strong industry-academia partnerships are becoming increasingly critical in shaping future-ready engineers.”
Dr. Annie Jacob, Director, KCG College of Technology, said,
“At KCG College of Technology, we are committed to creating opportunities that help students grow not only in technical competence but also in communication, leadership and professional readiness. Initiatives such as Industry Day provide students with industry exposure, practical insights and the mindset required to succeed in evolving career landscapes.”
The Placement Awards segment of the celebration was graced by Mr. Dhinesh Khanna, Global Head of Customer Success at Zoho, who congratulated students on their achievements and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in modern workplaces.
Mr. Dhinesh Khanna, Global Head of Customer Success, Zoho, said,
“Technology and business environments are evolving faster than ever before, and students entering the workforce today must embrace continuous learning, agility and problem-solving as lifelong professional skills. Industry today values individuals who can learn, collaborate and adapt consistently in changing environments.”
KCG College of Technology witnessed a strong placement season this year, with students securing opportunities in organisations including Zoho Corporation, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Capgemini, Hexaware Technologies, HCL Technologies, Accenture, OJ Commerce, Blackstraw, Sopra Steria, RDC Concrete, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, and Solion Technologies, among several reputed recruiters.
The institution stated that the placement outcomes reflect its continued focus on industry collaboration, skill development and preparing engineering graduates for rapidly evolving workplace demands shaped by technology, innovation and emerging industries.