Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we’re diving into the latest highlights focusing on the launch of the Reliance Foundation scholarship 2024-25 program, implementation of the AVGC-XR policy, launch of the Capgemini-SAP Digital Academy for skill training, and more. We’ll also explore exclusive insights from the forefront of skill development, covering everything from groundbreaking initiatives to emerging trends in technology, NEP 2020, UGC, NCVET and more.

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

Top highlights in skill education in India
Reliance Foundation Launches Scholarships 2024-25 for 5,100 Students
Reliance Foundation has opened applications for its 2024-25 scholarship program, offering 5,000 merit-cum-means undergraduate scholarships of up to Rs. 2 lakhs each and 100 postgraduate scholarships of up to Rs. 6 lakhs each. The scholarships aim to support and mentor talented first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students across India. Interested students can apply online until the deadline on October 6, 2024.
For more information and to apply, please visit https://www.scholarships.reliancefoundation.org/

Updates from the MSDE, NSDC, NCVET, UGC

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the upcoming implementation of the AVGC-XR policy at 5^th CII Summit FX, aligned with the National AVGC-XR Mission, to enhance India’s global competitiveness in the AVGC sectors.
MSDE Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary announced that the government is in talks with UGC to launch skilling programs for undergraduates, emphasizing India’s global ambitions in skill development at the BT India@100 summit.
NSDC International and Kyoshin signed an MoU to enhance collaboration between India and Japan by promoting the hiring of skilled Indian professionals and organizing joint seminars on skill development and workforce mobility.
MSDE highlighted the government’s commitment to global skilling demands as Flipkart’s Supply Chain Operations Academy and signed an MoU to upskill thousands of youth under PMKVY 4.0, enhancing employability in e-commerce and supply chain sectors.
NSDC and ISTE have launched an outreach drive to enhance skill development and employability for tech students, focusing on reskilling, upskilling, and fostering entrepreneurship.
TalentCorp Malaysia has partnered with NSDC International to boost digital skilling for Malaysian youth through a new MoU, enhancing ties between Malaysia and India.

Stakeholder collaboration – Industry, Academia and Government

State MSME, SERP and NRI relations Minister Kondapalli Srinivas has inaugurated an advanced sewing machine centre through IoT at Centurion University in Vizianagaram.
Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT) and IIM Calcutta signed an MoU to drive strategic initiatives for skill development and industrial growth in Tripura.
The Arunachal Pradesh Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dept has introduced finishing courses for graduating students, covering job interview prep, resume writing, digital literacy, and more to enhance employability and entrepreneurship.
The government of Andhra Pradesh and CII discussed establishing a Centre for Global Leadership on Competitiveness in Amaravati, with TATA Group’s interest, and announced plans for a GoAP-CII Industry Forum to boost youth skills and employability.
KVK Mokokchung conducted off-campus vocational training on scientific agricultural practices for fifty farm women, aiming to enhance rural livelihoods as part of its 100-Day Action Plan.
Indian Bank signed an MoA with Aparajitha Foundations to support life skills education programs for students across India, continuing their partnership to foster social and emotional skills through initiatives like ‘AlcheMe’ and ‘Tim Tim Tare.’
Patliputra University released the first merit list for UG vocational courses for the 2024-27 session, with 5,550 students to be admitted in Patna and Nalanda colleges.
More students at the Government Industrial Training Institute for Women are choosing sewing over fashion designing this academic session, signaling a shift in trend.
YEIDA will establish skill development centres and libraries in 96 villages as part of Master Plan 1, offering employment-oriented training to local youth in collaboration with Noida industries.
Trident Group has launched the ‘Takshashila’ program to recruit and train 2,000 entry-level employees from rural and semi-urban India, offering skills development and employment.
The Punjab Skill Development Mission and the Indian Army’s Panther Division have signed an MoU to offer free skill training to families of defence personnel and youth in Amritsar and border areas.
ICAR-IARI and the National Agricultural Higher Education Project held a 5-day training for 58 Delhi-NCR school teachers, highlighting agriculture’s role in India’s economy and urging a renewed focus on agricultural education to boost productivity and innovation.
Reliance Foundation has launched its 2024-25 scholarship program to support 5,100 exceptional undergraduate and postgraduate students across India, focusing on academic merit and economic need.
Central Agricultural University, Imphal, conducted a ten-day training on processing and adding value to banana pseudostem fibres in Meghalaya, aimed at enhancing farmers’ livelihoods through non-conventional fibre use.
The Ministry of Coal, through its CPSEs, is driving socio-economic development with an annual CSR commitment of ₹800 crores, focusing on health, education, skill development, and community well-being.

RFP opportunities from NSDC
NSDC has invited Request for Proposal (RFP) for Empanelment of Sending Organization (SOs) in India for Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). The last date to submit the proposal is 31^st March 2025. Interested parties can click on the link to know more and submit the proposal: https://nsdcindia.org/sites/default/files/TITP%20RFP%20-%20Phase%206%20.pdf
Applications are open for the Chairperson position at NCVET in New Delhi. Details and application instructions can be found on the MSDE website, with the deadline set for 5:30 PM on September 30, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit: www.msde.gov.in.
NCVET is seeking applications from qualified officers to fill 08 deputation posts. The deadline for application submissions is 20/09/2024. Click here for the Vacancy Circular: https://ncvet.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Vacancy-Circular-for-8-posts-in-NCVET-on-deputation.pd
The Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader for the COO/CEO position. Apply now to drive the transformation of India’s skilled workforce: https://www.essc-india.org/Career.php

Skilling and Upskilling in Emerging Technologies

Deloitte India’s report with Nasscom highlights a critical shortage of skilled AI talent in India, stressing the need for targeted skilling programs to boost the nation’s AI capabilities amid a projected 25–35% growth in the AI market by 2027.
Capgemini and SAP Labs launched the Capgemini-SAP Digital Academy to offer employment-linked skill training to 8,000 marginalized youth in India over the next three years.
The Skill Development and Technical Education (SDTE), Odisha, inaugurated new skill initiatives under the Nua Odisha Scheme, partnering with IIT-Delhi to upskill 4,000 youths in future technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT.

*IMPORTANT:

The Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education from NSN are curated and adapted from various sources with the sole objective of keeping our readers updated about the evolving skills industry in India.

We compile and adapt these new snippets from various sources, if any source has objections or other concerns, please write to us at contact@nationalskillsnetwork.in, giving valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.