Traditionally, the gap between industry and academia has been many years. When academia updated its curriculum, the industry often moved on to the next big thing. This drastic gap significantly contributed to the talent demand. But today, neither academia nor industry can afford this gap. With India combating the need for more skilled workforce despite its demographic advantage as a young nation, multinational giants like Apple have started collaborating with academic institutes to bridge this gap.

SRM Institute of Science and Technology is 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, Infosys, and SRM University will help students not only learn iOS app development but also provide them with an additional career path. SRM University’s vice-chancellor C. Muthamizhchelvan, believes that students are drawn to high-paying jobs or entrepreneurship, and introducing this new ever-in-demand course could help them secure both. He further clarified that the institute is also planning to offer the course as a standalone certification program in the future.

Came into existence as SRM Engineering College in 1985, SRM became a deemed university in 2002. The university has six campuses now: four in Tamil Nadu — Kattankulathur, Ramapuram and Vadapalani, and Tiruchirappalli one in Andhra Pradesh — Amaravati; and one in NCR Delhi. The institute has produced many successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, as well as famous actors and artists, especially in South India. This special issue is a tribute to the alumni of the institute.