Mon May 26 18:06:30 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite as a news article, formatted for clarity and impact:

**Summary:**

Anna University in Chennai has partnered with Autodesk to establish a Design and Innovation Lab. This lab, funded by a ₹1.28-crore donation from Autodesk, will provide over 30,000 students access to Autodesk’s technology and train 10,000 polytechnic and ITI students annually for free. The initiative aims to bridge the skills gap highlighted in Autodesk’s State of Design and Make Report. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) launched a QR code-based feedback system for students in government colleges and universities and released a draft e-governance policy for higher education institutions.

**News Article:**

**Anna University Partners with Autodesk to Launch Design and Innovation Lab, Boost Student Skills**

**Chennai, May 26, 2025** – Anna University has joined forces with Autodesk, a global leader in design and technology, to establish a state-of-the-art Design and Innovation Lab on its Chennai campus. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday, promising to significantly enhance the skills and employability of thousands of students across various disciplines.

The initiative, supported by a ₹1.28-crore donation from Autodesk, will provide over 30,000 Anna University students from departments like Mechanical, Civil, Architecture, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), and Media Sciences with access to the educational versions of Autodesk’s cutting-edge technology products.

“This partnership directly addresses the widening skills gap identified in our State of Design and Make Report,” explained Conway Goh, Director-Asia Pacific and Japan, Autodesk Education Experiences. “Industry leaders are struggling to find talent with the necessary technical expertise. This lab will empower students to experiment with Autodesk platform solutions and explore advanced technologies like Generative Design, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market.”

Beyond Anna University, the lab will also provide free training in future technologies to at least 10,000 students from polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) each year. Furthermore, approximately 400 faculty members will receive annual training to become skilled instructors in these advanced technologies.

“This Design and Innovation Lab will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry,” said K. Shanmugasundaram, Director of the Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC) at Anna University.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Minister for Higher Education, Govi. Chezhiaan, who emphasized the importance of such collaborations in driving innovation and fostering a skilled workforce.

**QR Code Feedback System Launched for Government Colleges**

In addition to the Autodesk partnership, the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) launched a QR code-based feedback mechanism for students in government colleges and universities. Students can use the QR codes, displayed across campuses, to provide feedback on amenities like drinking water, sanitation, and canteen facilities. The collected feedback will be monitored by the respective institutions and the Higher Education Department.

TANSCHE also released a draft policy on e-governance for higher education institutions, part of a broader effort to develop comprehensive policies across 12 key areas, including recruitment, research, and university-industry collaboration. These draft policies will be open for stakeholder feedback before being finalized as model policies, adherence to which will grant institutions certain privileges, such as grants.

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