A Strategic Initiative by Laghu Udyog Bharati to Foster Innovation, Industry-Academia Synergy, and Technical Excellence

Introduction
The Engineering Talent Search (ETS) is a flagship competition hosted by Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), now entering its fifth successful year in 2025. Launched in 2021, ETS has become a transformative platform that connects technical education institutes and industrial enterprises, fostering innovation, problem-solving, and quality consciousness across sectors. The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” mission, promoting sustainable and high-quality industrial growth.

Purpose & Vision
ETS is designed to:

Encourage problem-solving ability, process improvement, and innovation among students and professionals

Promote a quality culture in industries and institutions

Provide a platform for technical students to showcase their skills and gain real-world exposure

Facilitate industry-academia collaboration through structured engagement

Create pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange

Align educational efforts with current industrial trends, customer expectations, and professional standards

The overarching vision is to build a synergistic ecosystem where academia and industry cocreate solutions, share insights, and nurture future-ready talent.

Scope & Target Audience
ETS is open to two primary categories of participants:
1. Technical Education Institutes – Engineering colleges, polytechnic institutes, and ITIs
2. Industrial Enterprises – Small, medium, and large-scale industries across Nashik and surrounding regions
Each year, LUB reaches out to:

120+ academic institutions through formal invitations, social media, and personal visits

100+ industries via direct engagement by LUB Executive Committee members

This inclusive outreach ensures broad participation and meaningful representation from both sectors.

Structure of the Competition
ETS unfolds in four structured stages, each designed to progressively evaluate and enhance participant capabilities:

Stage 1: Project Registration

Formal invitations are disseminated via social media and personal outreach

LUB EC members personally visit institutions and industries to encourage participation and understand their context

Participants register their projects on the LUB website

Registration fees: ₹1000 for student teams, ₹2000 for industry entries

Deadline for submission: 31st August 2025

This stage sets the foundation for the competition, ensuring that entries are aligned with the core themes of innovation, quality, and process improvement.

Stage 2: Online Project Assessment

Projects are categorized domain-wise: Mechanical, IT, Civil, Automation, Sales, Purchase, etc.

10–15 independent judges from academia and industry are appointed for unbiased evaluation

Each team presents their project online in a 10+2 minute slot (presentation + Q&A)

Judges score independently; data is compiled centrally at LUB office

Top 20–25 projects are shortlisted for the next round

Stage 2: Online Project Assessment
This stage ensures a fair and efficient evaluation process, allowing participants to present from any location. Judges also provide constructive feedback on market relevance, presentation skills, and professional approach.

Stage 3: Physical Project Presentation

Shortlisted teams are invited for in-person presentations at a designated venue

Projects from academia and industry are presented alternately to foster mutual understanding

A formal opening session is followed by live presentations in a seminar hall

4–6 judges evaluate each project; audience includes 700+ viewers from both sectors

Participants share their value additions, learnings, and feedback

The round concludes with an expert talk and felicitation ceremony for shortlisted teams

This stage is a true value addition day, promoting synergy and collaboration. It allows students to understand industrial expectations and enables industries to appreciate academic innovation.

Stage 4: Grand Finale & Awards Ceremony

Top 5 projects each from academia and industry are selected based on cumulative scores

Awards include: Winner, Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and Two Consolation Prizes per category

The finale is a high-profile event attended by 800+ dignitaries and stakeholders

Eminent personalities from education, industry, government, and media grace the occasion

Past guests include:

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Transport

Shri Chandrakant Patil, Maharashtra Cabinet Minister

Shri Hanumantrao Gaikwad, Founder, BVG Group

Shri Narendra Golia, Owner, Rushabh Instruments

Shri Chandak, Lokmat News

Shri Sandeep Karnik, IPS, Nashik

This grand finale celebrates excellence and provides a platform for recognition, networking, and inspiration.

Industry-Academia Synergy
ETS is more than a competition—it’s a collaborative movement. Through:

AI Summits

Expert Talks

Joint Meetings

Interactive Sessions

ETS fosters:

Mutual understanding of expectations and capabilities

Trend alignment in technology and market needs

Strategic partnerships for internships, placements, and joint ventures

Knowledge exchange between experienced professionals and emerging talent

This synergy helps bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, creating a more responsive and future-ready ecosystem.

Impact & Value

ETS delivers measurable value to all stakeholders:

For Students:

Real-world exposure to industrial challenges

Development of presentation and communication skills

Insights into current market trends and customer expectations

Opportunities for internships, placements, and start-up incubation

Recognition and confidence-building through expert feedback

For Industries:

Access to fresh ideas and innovative solutions

Identification of high-potential talent

Opportunities for collaboration with academic institutions

Visibility and branding among future professionals

Contribution to national development goals

For Institutions:

Enhanced academic relevance and industry alignment

Faculty engagement with industrial practices

Improved student motivation and performance

Strengthened reputation and stakeholder relationships

Conclusion

The Engineering Talent Search 2025 stands as a benchmark initiative in promoting technical excellence, innovation, and synergy between education and enterprise. With its structured approach, inclusive participation, and visionary leadership, ETS continues to inspire a new generation of problem solvers and changemakers
It is not just a competition—it is a movement for transformation, a platform for collaboration, and a celebration of engineering excellence.

ETS 2025 – Competition Timeline & Stage-wise Breakdown

Stage 1: Project Registration & Outreach
Duration: July 1 – August 30, 2025
Deadline: All registrations must be completed by 30 August 2025

Key Activities:

Formal invitations sent to 120+ technical institutes and 100+ industries in Nashik region

Outreach via social media, emails, and personal visits by LUB Executive Committee members

Participants submit project entries via the LUB website

Registration fees collected: ₹1000 (students), ₹2000 (industry)

Projects must align with themes like innovation, process improvement, quality culture, and problem-solving

Outcome:

Compilation of all registered projects

Domain-wise classification begins

Confirmation emails sent to all registered teams

Stage 2: Online Project Assessment
Date: 30 September 2025
Format: Fully online presentations via video conferencing

Key Activities:

Projects grouped into domains: Mechanical, Civil, IT, Automation, Sales, Purchase, etc

10–15 independent judges assigned based on domain expertise

Each team allotted 12 minutes (10 min presentation + 2 min Q&A)

Judges evaluate based on:

Innovation & originality

Relevance to industry

Presentation quality

Technical depth

Practical applicability

Outcome:

Scores compiled centrally at LUB office

Top 20–25 projects shortlisted for physical round

Feedback shared with participants

Intimation sent to shortlisted teams with next round details

Stage 3: Physical Project Presentation Round
Date: 30 October 2025
Venue: Designated seminar hall in Nashik (to be announced)
Duration: 2 full days

Key Activities:

Formal opening ceremony with dignitaries

Live presentations by shortlisted teams from academia and industry

Presentations alternate between both categories to foster cross-learning

Each team presents in front of:

4–6 judges

Live audience of 700+ viewers

Judges provide on-the-spot feedback on:

Market relevance

Communication skills

Professional approach

Technical clarity

Outcome:

Participants share value additions and learnings

Judges finalize scores for Grand Finale

Felicitation of shortlisted teams

Expert talk by industry leaders concludes the round

Stage 4: Grand Finale & Awards Ceremony
Date: Mid-November 2025 onward
Venue: Grand auditorium in Nashik (to be announced)
Audience: 800+ attendees from education, industry, government, and media

Key Activities:

Final scores reviewed and winners declared

Awards presented in two categories:

Students: Winner, Runner-up, Second Runner-up, Two Consolation

Industry: Winner, Runner-up, Second Runner-up, Two Consolation

Presence of eminent dignitaries:

Ministers, IPS officers, industrialists, media heads

Keynote speeches by thought leaders

Networking and media coverage

Closing remarks and future roadmap for ETS

Outcome:

Recognition of top talent

Strengthened industry-academia ties

Inspiration for future participants

Strategic visibility for LUB and ETS initiative