GIFT IFI hosts first TPO meet; highlighting AI's growing role in student placements

GIFT International FinTech Institute (GIFT ifi) on Tuesday hosted the inaugural training and placement officers (TPO) meet at GIFT city to address issues related to employability of students, industry-academic linkage, and the evolving landscape of use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in placement processes, connecting placement heads from various higher educational institutions from across Gujarat.

The day-long programme was centered around the evolving role of the placement office, new challenges in higher education and the use of technology to enhance career services and student engagement. The participants also identified the opportunities available in GIFT city ecosystem and discussed how to enhance students' preparedness for jobs in the financial services and fintech and other fast-growing sectors.

Rajat Moona, Director of IIT Gandhinagar and a member of the governing board at GIFT ifi, said, “In the era of AI, the expectations from industries are changing rapidly, and institutions must continuously adapt to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven and interdisciplinary world. Training and Placement Officers have become strategic enablers in this transformation by connecting academic learning with evolving industry needs.”

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AI changing placement and occupations

Training and placement officers have been made “strategic enablers” who link academic training to evolving industry needs, Moona said. He further said that, "Initiatives like the GIFT ifi-TPO Meet enable institutions to collaborate, exchange best practices, and collectively strengthen student employability while creating greater awareness about the emerging opportunities offered by GIFT City and the financial services ecosystem.”

GIFT ifi president Puneet Gupta said, "Training and Placement Officers have a deep and direct influence on the career journeys of students. As the nature of work and the skills required by employers continue to evolve, placement offices must also continuously adapt. The TPO meet created a platform where TPOs shared their experiences, discussed common challenges, and explored new approaches to placement operations."

Teamwork and skill development are emphasized

There were 34 TPOs from various higher educational institutions in Gujarat at the conclave. Collaborative and industry-relevant skill development, campus recruitment, career planning were the key issues that were discussed for enhancing the employability of students.

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The programme consisted of an interactive brainstorming session on placement operations excellence and a special talk on the role of AI in contemporary placement offices. The session shared insights on the use of AI in career guidance, outreach to employers, student engagement, data-driven decisions and operational efficiencies. GIFT City also gave participants a glimpse into the city's financial ecosystem, and they also spoke on future opportunities and collaborations in the field of fintech education, upskilling of students, preparedness of industries and career growth.