In a significant development aimed at promoting digital skills and entrepreneurship in India, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, unveiled a pioneering partnership between the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta in New Delhi.
The initiative, titled “Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a Generation of Students, Educators, and Entrepreneurs,” was officially launched in the presence of eminent dignitaries, including Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that the partnership aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a skilled capital of the world. He hailed the initiative as a game-changer that will democratize digital skilling by taking it to the grassroots level. The primary goal is to build the capacities of India’s youth and workforce, seamlessly connecting them with futuristic technologies and transforming the nation’s youth into problem solvers and entrepreneurs.
Highlighting the importance of technology as an equalizer in India’s democracy, demography, and diversity, Shri Pradhan emphasized the role of technology in connecting and uplifting society. The partnership between Meta and India’s education and skilling sectors, guided by the National Education Policy (NEP), is poised to unlock numerous opportunities for equipping the population with critical digital skills & empowering micro-entrepreneurs & small businesses.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in his address, underlined the government’s focus on preparing the youth and workforce for success in rapidly evolving times. Digital skills are not only crucial in the innovation ecosystem but also serve as a bridge for lakhs of small rural, micro, and self-employed entrepreneurs, enabling their growth and success.
In a video message, Meta President, of Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, expressed gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan for facilitating the partnership between the education and skills sectors. He highlighted India’s talent base and rapid digital adoption, making it an ideal location for investing in emerging technologies. Meta is committed to empowering India’s students, youth, and entrepreneurs, with a significant focus on skill development for Indian startups and businesses.
Under the partnership with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), over 5 lakh entrepreneurs will gain access to digital marketing skills from Meta over the next three years. Training in digital marketing skills will be conducted using Meta platforms in seven regional languages, promoting inclusive growth and digital empowerment.
The event witnessed the exchange of Letters of Intent (LoI) between Meta and key educational bodies, including NIESBUD, AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education). Additionally, three short films were showcased, providing insights into the partnership’s objectives and benefits.
