With the rise of robotics and automation across industries, engineering education must shift its focus from traditional textbook learning to skill-based and project-oriented approaches to meet evolving industry demands.

The fields of robotics and automation are gaining prominence in emerging engineering companies, offering diverse job opportunities for students who specialize in these areas. Unlike the traditional model—where skills were largely acquired on the job—today's colleges are fostering an environment where students engage deeply with technology through hands-on projects during their academic journey.

Leading companies now publish real-world technical challenges under initiatives like 'Yekathon', encouraging students to take up these problems as part of their academic projects. This approach helps students not only understand existing technologies but also develop practical solutions. As a result, companies increasingly expect graduates to have already acquired relevant technical and problem-solving skills during their studies.

Additionally, there is a strong industry emphasis on skill-based certification courses. The World Economic Forum has identified ten key skill areas—including Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Technology-Driven Problem Solving—as high-growth sectors by 2030. Students who pursue these courses gain a significant advantage in the job market.

In the domain of Robotics and Automation, job prospects extend across manufacturing, healthcare robotics, logistics, AI, and core engineering sectors. Therefore, aspiring engineers—particularly those choosing this specialization—must focus on acquiring diverse technical skills.

Furthermore, project-based learning should aim to deliver tangible outcomes that align with industry expectations. By doing so, students enhance their employability and stand a greater chance of securing positions in top-tier companies.

— Dr. Chandramohan, Head, Department of Aeronautics, Sri Ramakrishna College of Engineering, Coimbatore