Vineet Jain of SKIT on how policy, industry and Pravasi engagement are changing student prospects
As Rajasthan engages its global diaspora to project a growth-led vision, discussions at Pravasi Diwas 2025 have highlighted the role of educational institutions in turning policy intent into opportunities for youth. Alongside the success of Pravasis abroad, institutions and individuals within the state are driving Rajasthan’s transformation.
At ET Studios, representing the higher education fraternity, Vineet Jain of SKIT shares his insights on how government initiatives, industrial investments, and Pravasi engagement are reshaping career pathways for students and strengthening Rajasthan’s long-term development prospects. Edited excerpts:
The Chief Minister has launched several initiatives to engage Pravasis and attract investment into Rajasthan. How do you view these efforts from the education sector’s perspective?
I come from the education fraternity, and I strongly believe that initiatives which bring people and investment into Rajasthan are extremely important. Such efforts significantly multiply the kind of exposure that students receive. When investment flows into the state, it directly impacts how students see the range of opportunities available to them.
I represent a higher education institution that provides engineering talent to many companies. Over the past few years, I have observed that several companies are now setting up their bases in Rajasthan itself. This has created meaningful opportunities for students to begin their careers in their own cities, which brings a lot of satisfaction to us as educators.
Rather than students going out of Rajasthan or even outside India, we are now seeing a lot of investment coming into the state. This shift is primarily driven by government policies that focus on ease of doing business.
You mentioned policy support and industrial expansion. What kind of sectoral changes are you seeing on the ground in Rajasthan?
The changes are clearly visible. We see the manufacturing sector improving, and we see a growing number of companies setting up centres across domains such as IT and AI. These developments are opening up diverse opportunities for students.
One such initiative that stood out recently was the Rising Rajasthan event. Platforms like these show that more people are willing to take the risk of starting their own companies and working towards making them sustainable.
While there are concerns that the rise of AI and technology could reduce jobs, what we are witnessing instead is that for skilled talent, ample opportunities are emerging. These initiatives are motivating students to explore both employment and entrepreneurship.
How do interactions with Pravasis and their success stories influence students at your institute?
The influence is very strong. When students see people who passed out of colleges like theirs a few years or even decades ago, it creates a sense of connection. They realise that with persistence, strong willpower, and the right guidance, it is possible to grow significantly.
Students observe journeys where startups began very modestly and eventually became unicorn companies. Examples from Jaipur are especially inspiring. Journeys such as CarDekho’s show that a company can start in Jaipur and grow into a nationally recognised name.
Similarly, companies like Minimalist demonstrate that something created in Rajasthan can reach a global scale. These stories encourage students to believe in their own ideas and to think beyond geographical limitations.
What kind of guidance or support would you like Pravasis to extend to students and institutions?
Pravasis bring valuable experience from sectors such as healthcare, education, high-tech manufacturing, and global business environments. Exposure to these global trends is extremely beneficial for students.
One key area where Pravasis can contribute is by creating opportunities for internships and apprenticeships. There are apprenticeship frameworks already in place, and students are increasingly getting hands-on exposure to industry settings.
Spending time in real work environments gives students a perspective that is very different from classroom learning. More participation from Pravasis can help expand these opportunities and strengthen industry-academia collaboration.
How do you see youth potential aligning with India’s long-term development goals?
India is a young country, and that is its biggest strength. The potential is immense. If we are able to engage young people in the right way, the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 can be achieved even earlier.
Young talent today is more skilled and more aware of global developments. If guided properly, this generation can bring about significant change and innovation.
India once held the status of being a Jagat Guru, and I believe that with the right utilisation of youth potential, that position can be achieved again. I wish the very best to India, the Pravasis, and Rajasthan as this collective journey continues.
