The digital skillsets required for different business models are different. Strong industry partnerships with mandatory internships will encourage students to contribute new ideas while also working to improve work process efficiency. Youths need to partner with organisations where practical courses are linked to academics and credit-based studies should be encouraged
When asked about digital literacy and why it does matter, Sumit Duttagupta, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, in an exclusive interview with CIO News, said, “In today’s world, digital is the way of life.” Data and its context are shaping a new world of opportunities. Data was there from way back in our day-to-day work. Data captured in a digital format along with its fast-processing speed and infrastructure is opening new business models and new approaches to solutions and work. So data and digital literacy are a must in today’s world to stay relevant.
When asked about his views as an IT leader on digitally up-skilling the youth in the post-COVID era, he said that this pandemic has opened new business models. The digital way of doing business has impacted all old schools of thought about doing business. Interaction with social media is nowadays the key to success in business. Digital competencies in new edge technologies are the most sought-after skills required to operate in today’s competitive world. Up-skilling digitally is the only way to stay relevant and youth at all levels, from operating a cutting-edge manufacturing console to run the plants to developing a new product or business model.
When asked how the youth can be digitally empowered and what kind of exposure and engagement opportunities in the educational curriculum educational institutes can implement to raise the interest of youths to up-scale their digital skills, he said that the educational curriculum should be based on real-life scenarios that businesses experience. The digital skillsets required for different business models are different. Strong industry partnerships with mandatory internships will encourage students to contribute new ideas while also working to improve work process efficiency. Youths need to partner with organisations where practical courses are linked to academics and credit-based studies should be encouraged. New technology studies should be an integral part of the curriculum. Industry and academies should forge alliances to ensure the right skill set is moulded during the final college years. Industry visits on a regular basis will help the youth understand diverse industry segments and will add tremendous value.
When asked if it should become a must for schools, colleges, and other educational institutes to conduct workshops or crash-courses programmes to drive the importance of technology for businesses, he said, “Industry – Educational Institutes should co-opt new cutting-edge technology study and research.” This will ensure that students are very much aware of business needs and contribute in a very positive manner. Programs should be held on a regular basis to ensure that there is continuity in the programs. The online mode of providing courses should be encouraged. The importance of understanding new technologies is key to success.
When asked about his advice as an IT leader he would give to youth who are considering their career in the technology industry and what should they know about the industry before starting their career, what challenges they could face and how to overcome the challenges, he said, “A career in the technology industry is one of the most fulfilling ones.” Youth should adapt to learning core programming languages in the early part of their student life. This will provide an edge once new technology emerges and students will be able to adapt to the nuances of this new technology and its applications. It is always better to know the industry’s best practises by going over the different standards. Understanding the business process or domain through regular internships will be an added advantage. Entry-level challenges will come, but certification in the subject of interest will help overcome the challenges. Product understanding, like in SAP/Oracle EBS, both in terms of functional and technical expertise, is also an important area of specialisation to advance someone’s career. A technology career in today’s world is very rewarding and knowledge is the essence of success.
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