MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune, hosted HR Conclave 2026, a national-level industry–academia dialogue focused on preparing students for changing workplace expectations. The conclave was held under the theme New Generation Talent Readiness: Expectations vs. Reality.

The event brought together senior HR leaders, industry practitioners and academic experts to discuss the gap between graduate employability and workplace readiness. Discussions centred on two sub-themes: Plug-and-Play or Train-and-Transform? HR Perspectives on New-Generation Talent and Employability vs. Work Readiness: Where Education Ends and Industry Begins.

The panel discussions featured representatives from organisations including Infosys BPM, Novartis, Kalyani Group, SKF India, United Airlines, Wipro Engineering, METRO Global Solutions, BNY Mellon, SEARCE, PwC and Innomatics Research Labs.

Dr R. M. Chitnis, Vice Chancellor of MIT-WPU, said organisations must support employee growth and well-being while individuals should also focus on physical health, mental balance, relationships and financial security to ensure organisational productivity.

Vikram Kulkarni, AD HR at Novartis, highlighted the importance of workplace culture, stating that conversations on well-being and psychological safety should begin at the leadership level. He added that sustainable performance depends on balanced workplaces.

Jacob Varghese, Vice President–HR at SKF India Ltd., said mental well-being is central to organisational sustainability, noting that companies are strengthening policies, counselling and employee assistance programmes while individuals must also take responsibility for their well-being.

Nikhil Bhojwani, L&D Head at Mumbai Metro One Pvt. Ltd. (Reliance Group), emphasised the importance of supporting working parents, stating that family support and inclusive environments improve employee engagement and retention.

The sessions also examined evolving hiring trends, AI-enabled workplaces and changing campus recruitment expectations. Speakers stressed the role of internships, live projects, apprenticeships and mentorship-driven learning in bridging the gap between academia and industry.

The conclave concluded with a commitment from industry and academic stakeholders to collaborate on talent development frameworks aimed at improving workforce readiness among graduates.