The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK Shenzhen) recently held the World University Leadership Summit in Shenzhen. William Xu, Huawei Fellow and Chair of Huawei's Scientist Advisory Committee, took part in the summit representing the business sector. William shed light on an important necessity of modern-day academia: Collaboration. He said, "New theoretical and technological breakthroughs are urgently needed to lead the information industry into new stages. Universities, research institutions, and enterprises should work closely together to address industry challenges and deliver world-class achievements."

In this tech-ade, collaboration is a key mantra across all sectors. It’s no different for education, as collaborating and knowledge sharing is a crucial aspect of advancing education and bringing it closer to the industry, bridging the gap. Collaborating across various disciplines helps institutions increase creativity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities and better serve their students and communities.

SRM Institute of Science and Technology is one of the great examples of this novel approach. SRM recently became the first university in India to integrate iOS app development into its computer science curriculum in collaboration with Apple. Currently, the course is offered as an elective. However, the university has further plans to allow academic credit for this unique course. SRM Institute is also planning to offer the course as a standalone certification program in the near future. This unique partnership between Apple and SRM University will not only help students learn iOS app development but also provide them with an additional career path.