The printing sector, a distinct field merging technology and creativity, increasingly relies on the adoption of innovative ideas and a workforce capable of driving transformation and growth. As a result, a considerable gap has opened between the skills acquired by students and the complex expectations of the modern print industry.
To address this skills deficit, the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) has launched a systematic initiative. The project, spearheaded by Harjinder Singh, chairman of the education and training committee, aims to create a dedicated collaborative platform that unites academia and the print industry. This partnership is designed to facilitate joint brainstorming sessions, allowing stakeholders to identify core challenges and pain points, thereby developing logical, real-time solutions.
The approach mandates that the AIFMP organise a board meeting every six months, convening members from academia, the education and training committee, and printers from various regions. A critical focus of these biannual deliberations will be ensuring that education and skill development programmes remain responsive to the rapid pace of technological transformation within the printing sector.
A key mechanism for this collaboration is the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with technical universities and institutes. This process began on 27 April, marking a significant milestone with the formal execution of the first MOU between AIFMP and Nachimuthu Polytechnic College (NPTC), Pollachi. The agreement was signed by Harjinder Singh, representing AIFMP, and the secretary of Dr Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology on behalf of NPTC.
This groundwork sets the stage for a new era of academic–industry cooperation. The Education & Training Committee (E&TC) has already engaged in productive discussions and anticipates formalising MOUs with at least seven other technical institutes by July 2026.
The core objective of this expansion is to facilitate comprehensive brainstorming during joint board meetings, leading to implementable solutions that enhance the practical understanding of printing science and technology for students.
Harjinder Singh said, "Beyond core technical competencies, the collaborative effort will also tackle structural impediments to industry growth. Innovation and research and development are significant challenges, as limited resources and financial constraints often hinder independent R&D efforts by print businesses."
Singh added, "Academic–industry partnerships are viewed as essential to conduct need-based R&D, empowering presses to operate more efficiently and fostering a cycle of mutual benefit. Additionally, the lack of qualified marketing professionals is a recognised barrier, which the initiative aims to address to ensure consistent and sustainable business growth within the printing sector."