From November 14-15, Edwin Schmierer, Associate Dean of the Georgetown University Center for Continuing Professional Education at the School of Continuing Studies, attended the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 1st University-Industry Congress in Delhi, India. Attended by Kapil Sibal, Minister for Human Resources, the conference convened local and foreign universities and local and multinational companies to discuss the current state of higher education in India and future challenges.

Dean Schmierer spoke about the critical role of industry in creating highly applied programs grounded in both theory and industry standards. Universities must be outward-looking and actively engage industry to be “passionate co-creators” of programs. He highlighted how the School of Continuing Studies has successfully launched new masters programs and professional certificate programs in human resources, technology management, real estate, sports management, public relations, journalism, project management, finance, and social media with active participation from industry. The School of Continuing Studies has involved industry in curriculum design, faculty appointments, advisory boards, assessment, internships, and placement.

Dean Schmierer concluded by emphasizing that the School of Continuing Studies not only wants its graduates to have meaningful, impactful careers but also to assist them in their entrepreneurial pursuits so they can create the industries of the future.