Ahmedabad University Students Get Front-Row Industry Exposure at CII Gujarat Manufacturing Conclave 2026

How can manufacturing adapt to rapid changes in scale, technology, and sustainability? Students from Ahmedabad University had a front-row seat to these industry shifts at the 4th edition of the CII Gujarat Manufacturing Conclave, where academia and industry leaders gathered to map out the sector's future.

Ahmedabad University participated as the Academic Partner, with students accompanied by faculty members to attend the conclave. The experience gave students an opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and gain first-hand exposure to the contemporary developments, challenges, and opportunities shaping Gujarat’s manufacturing sector.

Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat, the conclave brought together leaders and stakeholders from industry, academia, and the broader manufacturing ecosystem. Held under the theme “Scale, Smart & Sustainable – Future-Proofing Gujarat’s Manufacturing,” the conclave focused on key developments shaping the state’s manufacturing landscape. These included scaling Gujarat’s manufacturing capabilities, accelerating the adoption of smart and industrial technologies, and strengthening sustainable operations. It gave attending students a real-time view of the conversations driving the sector forward.

Among the eminent speakers at the conclave was Professor Minal Pathak​​​​​​, Associate Professor and Academic Director at The Climate Institute​​​​​​, Ahmedabad University. Her participation brought an academic and climate-policy perspective to discussions around sustainable and future-ready manufacturing. It offered students a direct link between classroom learning and industry dialogue.

The speaker panel featured leaders and experts, including Jun Takahashi, Director-General, JETRO Ahmedabad; Achal Bakeri, Chairman, CII Gujarat State Council and Managing Director, Symphony Limited; Dr Sanjeev Rastogi, Head – Group Policy Services, Adani Capacity Centre; Jayant Murthy, Convenor, CII Gujarat Manufacturing Panel; and Harish Sadana, President – Corporate Matters, Strategy & Governance, Zydus Group. It was also attended by representatives from Jindal Worldwide, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, and other leading organisations. The full speaker panel also included representatives from the manufacturing, technology, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors, giving students the chance to hear from a range of voices across the entire manufacturing value chain.

Ahmedabad University’s participation as an academic partner reflects its continued commitment to providing students with meaningful exposure to industry and to connecting classroom learning with real-world manufacturing challenges. Through such engagements, the University continues to create opportunities for its students and faculty to engage directly with industry leaders and contribute academic perspectives to conversations on the future of Gujarat’s manufacturing ecosystem.