Lokesh launches the industry-linked Sricity International University in Tirupati

HRD Minister Nara Lokesh was speaking after inaugurating Sricity International University (SIU) at Sri City in Tirupati district on Thursday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh formally inaugurated Sricity International University (SIU) at Sri City in Tirupati district on Thursday.

The new institution set up in the midst of industry is hailed as a departure from the traditional model where academia and industry meet face-to-face on a daily basis and where the academic curriculum is designed around the needs of industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lokesh acknowledged that the SIU curriculum is designed in collaboration with industry partners and revised annually to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and should be more modern in nature.

While industries across sectors constantly complain about graduates who are not ‘job ready’, students on the other hand are not equipped with the skills required in the industry. It is this mismatch that SIU seeks to overcome and bridge the gap by integrating employers into every phase of the education process,” said Mr. Lokesh.

“Universities cannot remain oblivious to the fact that technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. By updating their curriculum every few years, institutions cannot expect graduates to remain relevant. Similarly, industry is required to become a partner for education rather than taking on the role of ultimate recruiter,” he stressed.

SIU will adopt a dual Work-Study model where students spend a third of their time in classrooms and the remaining hours under the guidance of industry partners. Students will have paid internships during the course starting with a minimum monthly stipend of ₹10,000. By the time they graduate, they would have gained more than two years of real industry experience, which increases their chances of employability.

With more than 200 companies representing 30 countries, Sri City’s globally integrated industrial ecosystem representing electronics, automotive, engineering, logistics, advanced manufacturing and related sectors is cited as the inspiration behind the establishment of SIU.

An incubation center ‘Station-S’ has also been set up at the university, which ensures the transformation of future graduates into job creators. With already 10 startups in collaboration with Gnan Circle Ventures, a Tier I venture capital fund, the university places equal emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking, problem solving, communication and leadership along with technical education.

SIU offers bachelor’s programs in CSE, Advanced Manufacturing, Finance and Accounts and Digital Media and Communications from the academic year 2026-27.

SIU Board Chairman Srini Raju was also present.

Published – 02 Jul 2026 20:17 IST