Mumbai, India — In a pioneering move that bridges the gap between academic learning and industry demands, the itSMF India Chapter, in collaboration with Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering (Fr. CRCE), has officially launched a new course titled “Product, Services & IT Service Management (ITSM)” program as part of its formal academic curriculum — a first-of-its-kind initiative.
This landmark partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter in engineering education, where globally recognized ITSM frameworks and practices will now be part of students’ core learning journey. The integration of ITSM into the classroom is aimed at equipping students with future-ready, industry-aligned skills that are in high demand in the digital and technology sectors.
“This unique collaboration is not just about introducing a new course — it’s about shaping a new kind of graduate, one who is better prepared for the challenges and expectations of today’s digital workplace,” said Sunil Mehta, Board Member, itSMF India Chapter. “It’s a step toward building a sustainable pipeline of talent for the global IT industry.”
The program launch was held at Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering Bandra campus and was attended by esteemed faculty, deans, HODs, and industry leaders. The event featured interactive sessions, discussions on future skills, and the shared vision of creating stronger industry-academia ties. As part of this initiative, the professors are enabled through a Train-the-Trainer program, ensuring that the course is delivered with strong industry relevance and practical insights. The TTT would be delivered directly by industry thought leaders and practitioner.
Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Director, Dr. Sapna Prabhu, Principal, along with academic leaders such as Dr. Sujata Deshmukh, Dr. Ashwani Pansare, and several distinguished department heads, played a critical role in bringing this initiative to life. Their commitment to innovation in education and student development was deeply acknowledged by the entire itSMF team both in India and International. Also present were industry representatives including Dinesh Shirvaiker(Ex LTM), Samir Bale (Quint), Amit Ashtekar (CapGemini), Gurunath Lotlikar (Ex HPE), Ajinkya Gokhale (Synoptek), Saroj Sahu (BMC), Sunil Mehta (Quint) amongst others, who contributed their insights on how this academic-industry model could scale across institutions.
“Today, the relationship between academia and industry is of paramount importance. Through this collaboration with itSMF India, we aim to align students with industry needs and provide them with practical, industry-oriented learning experiences. The program, designed and delivered by industry professionals, will help students enhance their skills and industry readiness while also preparing our faculty to successfully deliver the course. We are confident that this initiative will create meaningful opportunities for our students and contribute positively to their professional growth.” — Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Director, (Fr. CRCE), Bandra.
“Industry-academia alignment is essential in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. We are delighted to collaborate with itSMF India to introduce industry-oriented learning in Service Management for our students.” — Dr. Sapna Prabhu, Principal, Fr. CRCE), Bandra.
“In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, industries are looking beyond technical coding skills. Organizations need professionals who can manage systems, processes, risks, customer expectations, and service excellence together. This is why the IT Service Management program is highly relevant and future focused. This program will help students develop a broader industry perspective and prepare them not only for employment, but also for leadership in the future technology ecosystem.” — Dr. Sujata Deshmukh, Professor & Head, Computer Engineering Department, (Fr. CRCE), Bandra.
“The initiative reflects the India IT Industry and itSMF’s commitment to promoting ITSM best practices and nurturing future professionals through real-world learning. With this successful launch, the Chapter invites other engineering institutions across India to explore similar partnerships aimed at embedding global ITSM frameworks within their academic structures” – Dinesh Shirvaikar, Mentor and Industry practitioner, itSMF India Chapter.
About Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering
Fr. CRCE stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation in the heart of Mumbai. Recognized as a premier autonomous institution with a NAAC ‘A’ Grade accreditation, Fr. CRCE has consistently set the standard for technical education since its establishment in 1984. The institute was founded as a fitting tribute to the vision of Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues, whose resolute trust in the power of highly trained engineers to serve the nation remains our guiding light. The Industry connections and insightful inputs on the curriculum and syllabus revisions have improved internship exposure and made the students better prepared for their future careers.
About itSMF India Chapter
The IT Service Management Forum (itSMF) India Chapter is a not for profit organisation and is part of a global community of ITSM professionals. The Chapter is dedicated to advancing IT Service Management knowledge, fostering innovation, and enabling professional growth through collaboration between industry and academia. The forum’s India office is in IIIT Campus, Electronics City, Bengaluru. The Chapter is part of the itSMF International United Kingdom.
Interested in bringing ITSM to your institution?
Write to us at info@itsmfindiachapter.com to explore collaboration opportunities.
