MVGR wins National-Level ‘Talent Visionary Award’ for Salesforce Virtual Internship Program

MVGR College of Engineering Wins Prestigious National-Level ‘Talent Visionary Award’ for Salesforce Virtual Internship Program

Maharaj Vijayaram Gajapathi Raj College of Engineering (MVGR) has once again demonstrated its leadership in academia-industry collaboration by winning the prestigious Talent Visionary Award for its outstanding achievements in the Salesforce-supported Virtual Internship Program. The award ceremony took place at Taj Vivanta, Whitefield, Bangalore, on February 6, 2025, recognizing MVGR’s exemplary efforts in shaping industry-ready talent.

MVGR has emerged as a frontrunner in integrating Salesforce into its academic and training programs, fostering a robust talent pipeline that benefits both students and the industry. This initiative was launched in 2015 by MVGR management and Dr. G. Satyanarayana Reddy, the (SPOC) for Salesforce at MVGR and former Lead for the Visakhapatnam Salesforce Developer Community. Over the years, the program has yielded remarkable results in student placements, industry collaborations, and national recognition.

Key Milestones

Trailhead Workshop Kickoff

On August 8-9, 2016, MVGR conducted its first Salesforce Trailhead workshop, training 255 final-year students in Cloud Computing, Data Modeling, and APEX. Students earned over 6,000 badges, with three students receiving sponsorships to attend the Trailhead event at Nagarro, Gurgaon. This workshop, supported by MVGR’s management and faculty, laid the foundation for the institution’s leadership in the Salesforce ecosystem.

Industry Engagement & Recognition

MVGR achieved a historic milestone on January 19, 2017, by becoming the first college in Asia—and one among only ten universities worldwide, including Stanford and Carnegie Mellon—to receive approval for a Salesforce Student Developer Group. This distinction attracted high-profile Salesforce executives to visit MVGR, including:

  • Jacob Lehrbaum (SVP, Messaging & Portfolio Marketing, Salesforce)
  • Kavindra Patel (Vice President, Trailblazer Engagement, Salesforce)
  • Rajdeep Dua (Vice President of Engineering, Salesforce)
  • Naga Kiran Manyala (Head, APAC Technical Audience Relations, Salesforce)
  • Amanda Bauman (Director, Learner Engagement, Salesforce)
  • Viyom Jain (Managing Director & Global Business Unit Head, Enterprise Products, Nagarro)

MVGR remains the only institution in India to have hosted such a distinguished delegation, further solidifying its reputation in the Salesforce ecosystem.

Unparalleled Student Success

What started in 2015 with a single student placement at a package of 7.6 LPA has since evolved into a success story of exponential growth. More than 300 students have been placed in top Salesforce ecosystem companies, including TCS, Nagarro, Cognizant, and Concert.io, with initial packages ranging from 3.6 LPA to 10.2 LPA.

MVGR’s active participation in major Salesforce events, such as India Dreamin, has provided students with valuable exposure and networking opportunities, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Virtual Internship Program & National Recognition

In 2022, Salesforce collaborated with AICTE and training partner Smartbridge to design a Virtual Internship Program, with MVGR playing a pivotal role in shaping its structure. This initiative significantly strengthened industry connections and resulted in the placement of 64 students at TCS in its initial phase. To date, MVGR has successfully placed over 300 students in Salesforce ecosystem roles through this initiative.

Awards and Recognitions

MVGR’s excellence in developing Salesforce-ready talent has been recognized through prestigious awards:

  1. 2024: Talent Hub Award – Acknowledging MVGR’s outstanding performance in transforming trained students into successful placements. The award was received by Dr. G. Satyanarayana Reddy (SPOC) and was presented by academia and industry leaders, including:
    • Dr. Buddha Chandrashekhar (Chief Coordinating Officer, AICTE)
    • Sanket Atal (Managing Director, Salesforce India Operations)
    • Amarendar Katkam (Founder & CEO, Smart Bridge)
  2. 2025: Talent Visionary Award – Recognizing MVGR’s pioneering efforts in creating project-ready talent pools and preparing students for professional success in the Salesforce-supported Virtual Internship Program. The award was received by Dr. G. Satyanarayana Reddy (SPOC) and Dr. M. Bhanu (TPO) and was presented by industry leaders, including:
    • Sanket Atal (Managing Director, Salesforce India Operations)
    • Shivakumar Gowdaiah (Director, Ecosystem Growth & Impact, Salesforce)
    • Yudhister Yadav (Senior Manager & India Lead, Partner Success & Ecosystem Growth, Salesforce)

MVGR’s journey in establishing a Salesforce ecosystem is a testament to its commitment to academic excellence, industry collaboration, and student success. By continuously bridging the gap between academia and the corporate world, MVGR has set a benchmark for other institutions to follow.

With continued support from Salesforce and the unwavering efforts of its management, faculty, alumni, and students, MVGR remains a leader in Salesforce education and industry engagement, shaping the future of cloud computing talent in India and beyond.