In a significant development towards advancing digital literacy and entrepreneurship in India, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, has officially launched a groundbreaking 3-year partnership between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta. This collaborative effort, aptly named “Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs,” aims to revolutionize the way India approaches digital skilling, connectivity, and technology adoption.
The launch event, held in New Delhi, saw the exchange of three Letters of Intent (LoI) between Meta and key education entities – NIESBUD (National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development), AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education). The event was graced by the presence of Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global skill capital and empowering the country’s youth. The “Education to Entrepreneurship” partnership is poised to be a game-changer, extending digital skilling to grassroots levels and nurturing the talent pool. It will seamlessly connect students, young individuals, the workforce, and micro-entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies, ultimately transforming them into problem solvers and entrepreneurs of the future.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, “It is PM Modi’s dream and commitment to make India a skill hub of the world…Today we signed an entrepreneurship MoU with technology company Meta..and a skill development department institution. An MoU was signed… pic.twitter.com/4hSbdZ1RWj
— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2023
The union minister emphasized the need to leverage technology to bridge gaps in India’s democracy, demography, and diversity. By doing so, technology can become the great equalizer, benefiting the entire society. Guided by the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), Meta’s partnerships with NIESBUD, CBSE, and AICTE are set to unlock countless possibilities in equipping the population with essential digital skills and empowering small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar echoed the government’s commitment to preparing India’s youth and workforce for the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and the global economy. Digital skills, he emphasized, serve as a bridge for countless small rural, micro, and self-employed entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand and succeed in today’s digital age.
In a video message, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, expressed gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan for his support in bringing together this partnership between education and skilling – two pivotal sectors of the workforce. Recognizing India’s immense talent pool and its rapid adoption of digital technologies, he stated that India is the ideal place for Meta to invest in emerging technologies. He eagerly looked forward to Meta’s contribution in empowering India’s students, young people, and entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on skill development for Indian startups and businesses.
Under the partnership with NIESBUD, Meta will provide digital marketing skills training to 5 lakh entrepreneurs over the next three years. Budding and existing entrepreneurs will receive training in digital marketing skills using Meta platforms, initially available in seven regional languages. This initiative is set to empower entrepreneurs and boost their presence in the digital marketplace.
This partnership signifies a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and equipping India’s youth and workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, India’s commitment to digital skilling and entrepreneurship is poised to have a lasting impact on the nation’s economic and technological landscape.
