Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 15th January 2025

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights focusing on Central Ayurveda Institute for accessible healthcare, Digital Shaala project for STEM education, the launch of three industry-aligned courses at Young India Skills University and more. Also explore more insights from the forefront of skill development, where we cover everything from groundbreaking initiatives to emerging trends in technology, NEP 2020, UGC, CSR, NCVET and more.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,

Skill Development Updates from the government

• Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw has inaugurated NIELIT Srinagar, has set an ambitious target of training 3.7 million individuals in technical skills over the next five years, to boost tech-driven skill development and enhance employability in line with national goals.
• The government of Andhra Pradesh has launched India’s largest green skilling initiative to create 7.5 lakh jobs in renewable energy, partnering with Suzlon Energy and Swaniti Initiative.
• IndiaAI and Microsoft join forces to advance AI adoption in India, aiming to skill 500,000 people by 2026 under the India AI Mission.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has partnered with IITs to drive skill development and training initiatives to support India’s growing semiconductor sector and build a skilled workforce.
• Sikkim becomes the first North-Eastern state recognized by NCVET to independently certify and award vocational learners.IBM India Pvt Ltd is now an NCVET-recognized Awarding Body (Dual), authorized to assess, certify, and award NSQF-aligned qualifications.
• PM Shri Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Rohini, highlighting the government’s focus on accessible healthcare and global promotion of traditional Indian medicine systems like AYUSH and Ayurveda.

Skill development Updates on CSR, Industry

• NSDC has partnered with Axis My India to leverage data insights for boosting skill development and improving program impact in underserved regions.
• IIM Mumbai wins the LEAPS-2024 Award for excellence in logistics education and skill development, topping 34 participants.
• GHCL in Gujarat’s Kutch district has established 45 women-led self-help groups and trained 60 women in sewing, promoting entrepreneurship and socio-economic development through workshops on government welfare schemes.
• Sun Pharma, in collaboration with Usha International, launched a Sewing Training-Cum-Production Centre in Samba, Jammu, to empower 25 women from low-income communities with sewing and stitching skills.
• PNB Housing’s Pehel Foundation, in collaboration with Muskaan Dreams, launched the Digital Shaala Project to enhance STEM education and equip students and teachers with essential digital skills, aligning with NEP 2020.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/oldsite/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

Skilling and Upskilling in Academia and Emerging Technologies

• Young India Skills University (YISU) in Telangana has launched three industry-aligned courses in endoscopy, prototyping, and medical coding to boost skill development and job opportunities.
• The ‘Deepti-Braille Literacy Project,’ designed to provide basic education to visually impaired individuals and foster their integration into mainstream society, has officially commenced classes.
• Sastra Deemed University has partnered with HCLTech to develop capacity in artificial intelligence across multiple disciplines and facilitate training for around 3,000 graduates from STEM, law and other degree programs through hybrid teaching-learning framework.
• All colleges in Bihar to be linked with apprentice scheme (NAPS) soon for the UG students enrolled in higher education institutions, this is to align with the implementation of NEP 2020.
• IGNOU has launched a Bachelor of Arts in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (BAMSME) program to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills, starting in the January 2025 academic session.