A new chapter in career-focused learning has begun at Chitkara University in Chandigarh, with the launch of the world’s second Linkedin Experience Zone. This aims to help students link classroom knowledge with real-world expectations for their seamless transition into the work world.

The inauguration was attended by Saba Karim, Head of Education at LinkedIn India, and Vibha Adlakha, Head of Customer Success and Talent Solutions for India and Japan at LinkedIn, along with the leadership of Chitkara University. The event marked the opening of the new space.

More Than a Space: A New Approach to Career Preparation

Career preparation for students in India has mostly followed a classroom-based learning format with counseling centres conducting sessions to train students for interviews, group discussions and written exams.

The LinkedIn Experience Zone brings a completely different experience. Created as an AI-enabled space, it gives students a chance to learn by actually doing. Instead of only listening to advice, they step into situations that feel close to real workplaces.

Students can work on their Linkedin profiles, take part in mock networking exercises and prepare for interviews in a more hands-on manner.

Celebrating Student Leadership

During the inauguration, Chitkara University’s LinkedIn Campus Ambassadors were also recognised for their contribution. These students took the initiative to guide their peers in matters of career development and played an important role in encouraging a culture of shared growth.

By sharing opportunities, the campus ambassadors helped the fellow students the functions of the professional world. Their recognition emphasised the growing mportance of peer learning as a meaningful and effective way of developing skills and knowledge.

Preparing Graduates for the Real World

Speaking about the university’s approach, Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University, stated that the institution has always focused on preparing students for real-world challenges, instead of limiting education to the award of degrees or certificates. She described that the Experience Zone was a step in the same direction.

Dr. Chitkara emphasized the importance of practical learning that extends beyond textbooks and classrooms. She explained that the aim was to ensure that students graduated with qualifications, confidence, digital capability and the ability to adapt to change.

Bringing LinkedIn’s Mission to Campus

Ms Saba Karim explained that the Experience Zone reflects LinkedIn’s wider mission to create economic opportunity for members of the global workforce. She noted that the Zone brings this mission into practice by providing students with direct access to career tools and learning experiences.

She further stated that the Zone combines technology, industry knowledge and experiential learning to prepare students for employment. Through AI-based tools and guided practice sessions, students can explore workplace scenarios in a structured setting. The purpose is not to simulate work as a game, but to help students understand how professional environments operate and how to navigate them with clarity and confidence.

A Model for Modern Higher Education

Chitkara University has built a reputation for career-oriented education. The launch of the LinkedIn Experience Zone builds on this and showcases the university’s commitment to including innovation in student learning.

Chitkara Unviersity has brought together technology, connections with industry, and a clear understanding of student needs to create a program that could become an example for other universities in India and around the world.

As students begin to use this new space, they will not only prepare for their first roles but also develop habits and skills that will support them throughout their careers. In a workplace that continues to change rapidly, this level of preparation has become essential.

The LinkedIn Experience Zone represents an approach to education that connects learning with practice, academic achievement with professional readiness, and potential with opportunity.

About Chitkara University

Chitkara University is a UGC-recognised and NAAC-accredited private university in North India, with campuses in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, offering career-oriented undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Engineering, Business, Healthcare, Pharmacy, Design, Architecture, Hospitality, and emerging technology fields. For Class 11 and 12 students planning higher education, the University provides industry-aligned programs designed to combine academic excellence with practical exposure.

The curriculum emphasises experiential learning through internships, industry projects, research opportunities, and global collaborations, supported by modern infrastructure, advanced laboratories, industry mentorship, and skill-based training that strengthens student employability. Backed by 2,000+ campus recruiters and 300+ international academic and industry collaborations, students gain strong placement support, international exposure, academic exchange, and collaborative research opportunities.

Consistently ranked among leading institutions by national and global frameworks such as NIRF, QS World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education, the University maintains high academic rigour and industry relevance. With strong corporate partnerships and a focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary learning, it prepares students for emerging career opportunities in India and abroad.