Celebrating champions: MIECA 2024 honours industry and academia leaders

Celebrating champions: MIECA 2024 honours industry and academia leadersMumbai, 07th October 2024: The Making India Employable Conference & Awards (MIECA) 2024, co-presented by the India Education Forum and India Employer Forum, concluded with immense success on September 25, 2024, at The Westin Mumbai Garden City, attracting over 80+ influential leaders and professionals from the fields of education, employability, and skilling including luminaries like Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar Ji, Padma Bhushan Dr. S.B. Mujumdar Ji, visionary Founder and President of Symbiosis; Shri. Harsh Mariwala Ji, Chairman of Marico Limited & Kaya Limited; Shri. Atul Kumar Tiwari Ji, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. TeamLease Edtech, the event’s sponsor, is proud to be pivotal in steering discussions around India’s employability agenda.

This year’s conference revolved around the theme “The Power of the Ecosystem,” focusing on the collective efforts required from educational institutions, corporates, and government to foster employability and sustainable growth. The event recognised over 150 individuals and organisations for their groundbreaking contributions to upskilling India’s workforce and shaping the future of the nation’s youth.

The 2024 edition of MIECA celebrated the convergence of thought leaders and change-makers driving India’s skilling ecosystem. These awards are bestowed on the very best of the best who showcase exemplary contributions towards the common goal of Making India Employable.

Padma Vibhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, who delivered the keynote address, emphasised in his speech, “Education alone is not enough; it must be paired with opportunity. E equals F—Education equals Future—but the complete equation is E plus opportunity equals Future. To build a brighter future, the intermeshing of gears in the ecosystem—education, industry, government—is vital. When they work together seamlessly, we can unlock the immense potential of Indian talent, creating sustainable careers and driving our nation’s growth.”

During the event, Shri Atul Tiwari ji, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, reinforced the theme of “The Power of the Ecosystem, highlighting the need for collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to build a strong, employable workforce for India’s future; “India’s skilling and employment landscape must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. The focus is no longer just on education, but on building competencies that align with industry needs. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate education with practical, application-based learning through initiatives like the National Credit Framework and apprenticeship-embedded degree programs, ensuring that students are not just educated but are employable from day one.”

Speaking at the event, Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech, shared, “MIECA 2024 underlines the need for collaborative innovation. The future of employability lies in synergistic efforts, and today’s awards celebrate those pioneering this transformative shift. TeamLease is proud to support initiatives that empower India’s youth and reshape our workforce.”

The event received over 500 nominations from corporates, universities, and individual contributors, all vying for recognition in categories such as Change Maker, Corporate Excellence, and Rising Stars. These awards honour those who have driven impactful educational initiatives and made strides in workforce development. MIECA 2024 featured a distinguished panel of speakers and thought leaders who explored some of the most pressing issues facing India’s workforce today. This year’s panels included “The University of the Future is the University of Work – A Contemporary Perspective,” “The Indian Paradox – Where is the Talent Vs Where is the Job,” “India at 100 -The Viksit Bharat Blueprint” and “Cultivating Future Leaders – A Perspective.” Additionally, the event included a thought-provoking Fireside Chat between Atul Kumar Tiwari Ji and Shri. Ashok Reddy Ji, Co-founder, MD & CEO of TeamLease Services Limited further cementing MIECA’s role as a platform for shaping the narrative and driving the future of employability in India.

With a firm commitment to fostering growth through collaboration, MIECA 2024 marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming an employable nation. As the skilling ecosystem evolves, events like these play a critical role in fostering innovation and building a future-ready workforce.