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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Minister of State, Ministry of Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) – jointly set up by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) – at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

“Universities are not merely centres of academic learning—they are transformative bridges connecting young minds to the dynamic realities of the world. By equipping students with both technical expertise and a broad-based liberal education, they cultivate the ability to think critically, innovate fearlessly, and adapt with agility. Gujarat has emerged as a frontrunner in this journey, reshaping its higher education landscape through a strong focus on academic rigor, industry partnerships, and holistic development. And our universities are producing a generation that is not only employable but also imaginative, responsible, and deeply committed to the nation’s progress.”

 

Shri Jayant Chaudhary further emphasized the need for universities across India to realign with the evolving demands of industry and actively skill students in response. “We must empower our universities to become engines of innovation—not just to serve market needs, but to advance national growth. When universities lead innovation, it is driven by purpose—for the benefit of society and the nation at large.”

The Centre will be equipped with advanced manufacturing capabilities labs to provide specialised training. The centre will offer over 40 online and hybrid courses in sectors such as semiconductors manufacturing, renewable and non-renewables energy, digital edge, smart manufacturing, and more.

A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed earlier this month between NSDC and PDEU in this regard. These courses will cater to students from ITI, Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The curriculum is designed to equip learners from Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-3 institutes with hands-on experience in niche manufacturing skill sets across critical sectors, including energy, health, water and food.

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, said, “At NSDC, our core mission is to make youth employable, and this collaboration will strengthen the skilling ecosystem. This collaboration will support the development of training infrastructure in smart manufacturing, along with Centres of Excellence focused on automotive, EV charging, renewable energy, and semiconductors. Training in the semiconductor domain is already underway, paving the way for youth to gain practical exposure in high-demand, future-oriented fields. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the NSDC is placing a strong emphasis on global certification programmes that enable Indian students to access world-class skills and compete confidently in the international job market. We are dedicated to making India’s youth employable, entrepreneurial, and future-ready.

"Through hybrid-mode training in renewable, non-renewable, and hydrogen energy technologies, India is equipping its youth to lead in the global energy revolution. This initiative ensures nationwide access, bridging gaps and empowering students across the country. It’s more than skill development—it’s nation building. These efforts boost youth employability while positioning India as a future global leader in the energy sector."

This CoE will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, R&D, and real-time industry engagement in semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, embedded systems, and VLSI design, directly addressing the talent needs of these sectors. It will act as a crucible for developing specialised skills aligned with the national priorities of sustainable development and energy security. Students will be trained to become “Energy Ambassadors for the Nation.”

PDEU Director General S Sundar Manoharan said, "Aligning seamlessly with the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and his mission to empower youth and advance skill development across India, PDEU is committed to empower countless individuals nationwide, with Centres of Excellence playing a vital role in realizing the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.”

Underscoring the Gujarat Government’s strategic investments in these centres, he noted their crucial contribution to national missions—particularly in the realm of semiconductors—cementing India’s position as a global innovation hub.

The NSDC will play a key role in the smooth functioning of the CoE and in the seamless delivery of programmes to students. It will periodically monitor project progress to ensure that students receive quality training and are prepared for future job roles.

The PDEU, which has been at the forefront of energy transition and skill development, will leverage its expertise in different verticals, including solar and wind energy, lithium and vanadium energy storage, carbon capture and smart hybrid grids to prepare students for careers in these fields. It will empower students with industry-standard manufacturing lines, including the "45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line" and the ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line.

The partnership between NSDC and PDEU marks a transformative step towards building a future-ready workforce, which is crucial for India’s economic growth and technological leadership. It will play a vital role in Make-in-India Readiness movement and accelerate the progress of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

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Beena Yadav/Divyanshu Kumar

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