Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a leading Government of India Enterprise, is embarking on significant partnerships with esteemed institutions in engineering education - the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras (IITM) and Anna University (AU), Chennai. These collaborations represent a strategic move that holds immense potential, not only for the future career trajectories of students and young professionals but also making substantial contribution to the much needed Industry-academia advancement in the country. BSNL's involvement in these initiatives aligns seamlessly with the Digital India vision of the Government, underlining its commitment to fostering technological growth and educational excellence in collaboration with key players in the academic domain. There is also substantial revenue potential in this sector which is growing at a CAGR of 10% in India.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT-Madras and Anna University encompasses various promising initiatives which includes courses which are meticulously crafted to enhance the skill sets of both students and young professionals:

Ø  Introduction of a one-year international course in Telecom Technology & Management led by IITM in collaboration with BSNL in course design and delivery. This course serves as a launchpad for students and young professionals, both in India and abroad, to elevate their knowledge and skills in cutting-edge telecom technology and management, thereby enhancing their employability and career growth.

Ø  Introduction of short-term telecom technology courses (STTC) designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia, thereby augmenting the employability of students.

Ø  BSNL's initial establishment of labs at AU campuses in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, and Nagercoil for conducting these STTC courses, with plans to extend the same across approximately Four Hundred and Fifty AU-affiliated/constituent colleges in Tamil Nadu in the near future.

Ø  Expansion of 4G and 5G networks to cover IIT-Madras and AU campuses in Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, and Nagercoil, with the intent to open doors for the remaining 450 colleges.

Ø  BSNL's commitment to prioritizing startups from IITM Pravartak, offering them access to its extensive infrastructure and network solutions for business development.

Ø  Flexibility to introduce new courses tailored to the evolving needs of students, young professionals, and the telecom industry, ensuring continuous benefits for all stakeholders.

The Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL & MTNL, Shri Pravin Kumar Purwar, presided over the event and formalized the collaborations by exchanging Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key stakeholders: Dr. V. Kamakoti, Director IIT Madras; Dr. R. Velraj, Vice Chancellor Anna University; and Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman, CEO IITM Pravartak.

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