BITS Pilani WILP to Host International Conference on “Work Integrated Learning” in Hyderabad

The Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) division of Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani will be hosting International Conference on Work Integrated Learning (ICONWIL-2024) at its Hyderabad campus on April 15 and 16, 2024. With extensive focus on developing constructive directions for the future in the critical and specific domain of “work integrated learning,” the conference aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from across the globe. The aim is to provide a thought-provoking common platform, where they can exchange their research findings and innovative ideas, share best practices, experiences, and insights on diverse aspects, and discuss solutions for various practical challenges that are encountered by professionals in the field of teaching and learning.

Prof. (Dr.) T G Sitharam, the Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India, has gracefully accepted BITS Pilani’s invitation to be the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony of the conference.

Engaging keynote speeches, panel discussions, and paper and case study presentations

The conference will have keynote speeches and panel discussions (on contemporary topics in work integrated learning space) by internationally acclaimed thought leaders from both academia and industry. Some of the prominent speakers who shall grace the conference are Prof. Manu Kapur, Professor, ETH Zurich, Prof. Daniel Jonathan Bernstein, Professor-Emeritus, University of Kansas, USA, Prof. Nelson Lacey, Professor-Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Dr. Lakshminarayanan Samavedham, Associate Professor, University of Singapore, Dr. Edamana Prasad, Professor, IIT-Madras and Mr. P B Kotur, Global Head of Engineering Academy, L&T Technology Services Ltd. The conference will also have paper and case study presentations from researchers and practitioners on five engaging tracks i.e. perspectives on future directions for work integrated learning, pedagogical practices, assessment models, innovation and learning technologies, and industry-academia collaboration.

Showcase of tech-powered innovative learning solutions and a hands-on workshop

A student competition, “EduForge,” focusing on tech-powered solutions for “work integrated learning” will also be held as part of the conference. The competition will challenge participants to conceptualize, design, develop, and present innovative technological solutions that can help enhance the learning experience of students. The participants will have opportunities to showcase their innovation in five different tracks i.e. AI-enabled work integrated learning, innovative solutions for experiential learning, tech-enabled student engagement and peer learning, tech-enabled assessment, and tech-enabled student support system. A hands-on workshop on leveraging Generative AI in teaching and learning (with specific focus on practical use cases in work integrated learning) will also be facilitated by Mr. Keshava Rangarajan, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Spanda AI, USA.