- 48 IIFT students explore the complete journey of a surveillance camera at Prizor’s Gandhinagar facility
- From PCB production and SMT lines to assembly, testing and packaging, students witness technology being built on the shop floor
- Industry leaders field questions on import dependence, localisation and India’s ambition to build for global markets
- Rare exposure sparks interest in live projects and opportunities in the country’s fast-evolving security technology ecosystem
- Academia-industry interface offers future business leaders a closer look at the realities behind ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 25
What does it really take to turn a circuit board into a surveillance camera—and can India build the technology not merely for its own security needs but for the world? Forty-eight students of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), GIFT City, got a rare opportunity to find answers beyond textbooks when they stepped inside the manufacturing floor of Prizor Viztech Ltd. in Gandhinagar.
For students accustomed to analysing markets, businesses and global trade from the classroom, the visit offered an entirely different perspective: the opportunity to see technology being physically built, tested and prepared for the market.
The students witnessed the complete manufacturing journey of surveillance cameras—from PCB production and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) lines to component integration, camera assembly, testing, quality checks and final packaging.
The visit provided more than a factory tour. It opened a window into the larger strategic questions confronting India’s surveillance technology sector, including import dependency, localisation, manufacturing scale, market expansion and the ambition of Indian companies to establish a global footprint.
From PCB to packaging
For many of the 48 students, it was their first exposure to a surveillance manufacturing facility.
The tour enabled them to follow the transformation of electronic components into finished surveillance products, including dome, bullet and other camera variants. They observed manufacturing and assembly processes first-hand, interacted with production staff and gained an understanding of the testing and quality-control mechanisms that precede a product reaching the market.
The experience brought alive a critical dimension often missing from classroom discussions—the complex relationship between technology, manufacturing, supply chains, business strategy and market demand.
Questions that went beyond the factory floor
The interaction became particularly engaging when students began probing the broader business and strategic landscape.
Dr. Mitali Gauswami, Chairman & MD, Prizor Viztech Ltd., said: “We are always glad to open our doors and show future business leaders what goes into building and manufacturing technology in India. What made this interaction particularly special was the curiosity and thoughtfulness of the students.”
She said students raised questions on import dependency, localisation, Prizor’s global expansion plans and the challenge of creating visibility for an Indian surveillance company across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
“These conversations are valuable for us too, because fresh perspectives from young minds challenge us to think differently and look ahead with greater purpose,” she added.
The factory visit was followed by an interaction with Dr. Mitali Gauswami, Chairman & Managing Director, and Dr. DG Gauswami, Founder & Executive Director, Prizor Viztech Ltd.
The leadership interaction exposed students to the opportunities and challenges of building and scaling a surveillance technology enterprise in India, while also providing insights into the country’s growing role in the global security technology landscape.
‘Enriching learning experience’
For Pranjal Bhadauria, IIFT student of Class of 2028, the biggest takeaway was seeing the manufacturing process unfold in front of her.
“It was an enriching learning experience to see the surveillance system manufacturing up and close. We got to learn how everything is manufactured, assembled and packed here at the facility. The production staff guided us through the step-by-step process and we got insights into how surveillance as an ecosystem works in our country as a whole.”
The visit also triggered interest among students in live projects and possible industry opportunities with Prizor, with several expressing a desire to understand how they could contribute to the broader vision of Make in India and Make for the World.
Prof. Raghavendra Kushwaha, Assistant Professor, IIFT, said the visit offered valuable exposure to a rapidly transforming sector.
“Rapidly evolving advanced security solutions and real-time monitoring are essential for both the present and future. Prizor’s clear vision of the leadership and their journey in this emerging technology landscape is incredible.”
He added: “I believe the industry visit has provided IIFT students with valuable insights, enriching their understanding of this dynamic sector.”
Building the industry-academia bridge
The visit is part of Prizor’s effort to strengthen engagement with academic institutions and provide students and young professionals with direct exposure to India’s surveillance manufacturing ecosystem.
As a Make in India CCTV manufacturing company, Prizor has been opening its manufacturing facility to students as part of an effort to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world industrial experience.
Students from Ahmedabad University had also visited the facility last month, indicating an emerging platform for interaction between academia and India’s surveillance technology industry.
For the IIFT students, the experience ultimately went beyond understanding how a camera is manufactured. It offered a glimpse into the business, technology, manufacturing and strategic choices involved in creating an Indian security technology ecosystem.
And perhaps the most important lesson was this: India’s ambition to build for the world begins not in a boardroom, but on the factory floor.
