University of East London Partners with Tamil Nadu Government for Groundbreaking Hackathon and Work Placement Initiative  

Chennai  – Tamil Nadu government’s WorkLabs unit and the Tamil Nadu Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Centre (TANCAM), in collaboration with the University of East London (UEL) hosted an exciting career development opportunity in Chennai, today. The event is supported by the British Council, India.

Comprising of a hackathon and tour initiative, this is a unique opportunity for UEL’s high performing students to network with industry experts and employers, simultaneously gaining valuable skills which will directly support career choices and employability. It is also the first of a series of talent pathway initiatives that UEL is planning for Tamil Nadu and other states in India.

This initiative is a reflection of UEL’s commitment to offering quality education and high-growth career opportunities to students in India with a careers-first, inclusive strategy which is deeply integrated into its educational vision, emphasizing career preparation at every stage of a student’s journey.

Hackathon and Industry Tour to Enhance Career Prospects for UEL Students

From June 12th to 14th, 22 selected postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students from UEL’s Computer Science and Engineering departments, all of Indian origin, participated in a unique hackathon and industry tour in Chennai. This initiative is part of UEL’s Year of Science and aims to bridge the gap between industry and higher education, offering students unparalleled exposure to top employers of India.

“This initiative showcases UEL’s commitment to providing our students with exceptional career development opportunities. By partnering with the Tamil Nadu government and top Indian employers, we are creating pathways for our students to gain valuable industry experience and enhance their employability,” said Gaurav Malik, Vice-Dean and Director of Education and Experience, University of East London.

Event Highlights

• Day 1 (June 12): A comprehensive tour of Chennai’s industrial sector, where students and their academic leads engage with top companies and SMEs to discuss work placements and potential collaborations.
• Day 2 (June 13): A hackathon organized by Tamil Nadu Center of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing powered by Dassault System and Tancam and UEL at TANCAM, where students tackled real-world challenges posed by employers and presented innovative solutions. This was followed by an awards ceremony.
• Day 3 (June 14): Visit to IIT Madras Research Park and Tamil Nadu Government Guidance Hub, followed by closing ceremony to honor the participants and their achievements.

The winners of the hackathon, Parth Kishorbhai Vaghani, Kanthini Carthigueane, Umang Kumar Mansukhbhai Magharola and Pardha Saradhi Chakolthi have been shortlisted for a fully funded 4–6-week work placement opportunity in Chennai, scheduled between July-August 2024. This practical work experience aims to provide them with firsthand industry exposure and enhance their career prospects.

This initiative is part of UEL’s broader strategy to support the development of the higher education ecosystem in India. It marks the first of several planned events, including the inauguration of UEL’s India Industry Advisory Board in Autumn 2024, aimed at advancing robust career pathways for graduates.