Siksha O Anusandhan (SOA), a Deemed to be University in Odisha, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Broadridge Financial Solutions, a global leader in financial technology, to strengthen ties between academia and industry.

The MoU was formalized by SOA Vice-Chancellor Professor Pradipta Kumar Nanda and Broadridge India's Human Resources Head Ritu Rakhra, in the presence of senior leaders from both institutions.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements by offering students exposure to real-world applications, current technologies, and domain-specific training. As part of the event, Broadridge representatives held interactive sessions with students, discussing the latest trends in financial technologies, career opportunities, and evolving skill demands.

Broadridge is known for supporting early career talent through mentorship, campus engagement, innovation challenges, and structured skilling programs. The partnership aligns with its broader vision of empowering future professionals with practical experience and up-to-date industry insights.

The MoU outlines initiatives such as enhanced industry-driven training programs, guest lectures, expert mentoring sessions, and internship opportunities. These efforts aim to make students more industry-ready and improve their employability.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Nanda emphasized that this collaboration is part of SOA’s broader mission to connect academic excellence with real-world relevance.

"This partnership reflects SOA’s commitment to preparing students for the future by engaging meaningfully with industry partners," he said.

Ms Rakhra expressed Broadridge’s enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it underscores the company’s dedication to nurturing talent and driving innovation through collaboration with academic institutions.

Mr Ripti Ranjan Dash, Director of Corporate Relations and Industry Engagement at SOA, said the university has consistently pursued such partnerships across various sectors to ensure that students gain essential hands-on experience.

“The MoU reinforces our commitment to developing industry-ready professionals by offering them opportunities that go beyond the curriculum,” he added.

Professor Nanda concluded that the collaboration is expected to boost student employability, encourage applied research, and foster innovation-led learning, setting a benchmark for impactful academia-industry partnerships in the region.

The initiative is poised to combine SOA’s academic strength with Broadridge’s global expertise in fintech, building a future-ready talent pool equipped with the skills and mindset needed for today’s dynamic industry landscape.