Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Unveils Ambitious 3-Year Collaboration with Meta: Transforming Education into Entrepreneurship

In a momentous event held in New Delhi, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, has inaugurated a groundbreaking three-year partnership initiative.

The collaboration, aptly named "Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs," is a significant step towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of positioning India as the world's skill capital and nurturing the nation's youth, known as the "Amrit Peedhi."

Uniting Ministries and Industry Giant Meta for a Brighter Future

This historic initiative is a result of the combined efforts of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta, a tech industry powerhouse. The partnership marks a turning point in India's educational landscape, aiming to seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional learning and entrepreneurship by harnessing the transformative potential of digital technology.

A Tripartite Agreement Sets the Stage for Transformation

At the heart of this groundbreaking venture, three Letters of Intent (LoI) were exchanged between Meta and prominent educational institutions: NIESBUD, AICTE, and CBSE. This tripartite agreement signifies a commitment to empower and equip students, educators, and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age.

Dignitaries Grace the Occasion

The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Their participation underlines the significance of this collaboration in India's journey towards holistic skill development.

Shaping the Vision of a Skillful India

In his address, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that this initiative aligns closely with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into the global hub for skills and empowering the Amrit Peedhi, the nation's youth.

The "Education to Entrepreneurship" partnership, as he pointed out, holds the potential to revolutionize digital skilling, reaching the grassroots of the country.

By facilitating seamless connections between students, young professionals, the workforce, and micro-entrepreneurs, this initiative aims to mold the Amrit Peedhi into forward-thinking problem solvers and innovative entrepreneurs.

Harnessing Technology as an Equalizer

Shri Pradhan stressed that India's democracy, demography, and diversity should converge with technology, making it an equalizing force for all of society. With a foundation rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP), Meta's partnerships with NIESBUD, CBSE, and AICTE are poised to unlock countless opportunities, enabling India's population to acquire critical digital skills and supporting micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar's Perspective on Skill Development

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in his address, highlighted the government's unwavering commitment to preparing the youth and workforce for the rapidly evolving technological landscape and the global economy.

He emphasized that digital skills play a pivotal role, not only in nurturing innovation but also in bridging the gap for millions of small rural, micro, and self-employed entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and expand.

Meta's Global Support

In a video message, Sir Nick Clegg, the President of Global Affairs at Meta, expressed gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan for facilitating this crucial partnership between two essential sectors, education and skill development.

He praised India's vast talent pool and its rapid embrace of digital technologies, making it an ideal location for Meta's investments in emerging technologies.

Sir Clegg looked forward to Meta's active role in empowering India's students, youth, and entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on skill development for Indian startups and businesses.

NIESBUD Partnership: Empowering 5 Lakh Entrepreneurs

Under the partnership with NIESBUD, an impressive five lakh entrepreneurs are set to gain access to valuable digital marketing skills, courtesy of Meta, over the next three years.

This initiative will provide budding and established entrepreneurs with training in digital marketing skills, which will be offered through Meta's platforms, initially in seven regional languages.

A Bright Future Beckons

This momentous partnership brings together the collective vision and expertise of government bodies and Meta, promising to unlock a wealth of opportunities for India's aspiring entrepreneurs and digital learners.

By bridging the gap between education and entrepreneurship, it's poised to propel India into a future where innovation and skill development are at the forefront of national progress.

Some relevant and latest facts about the partnership between Meta and the Indian government:

• The partnership was launched on September 4, 2023, by the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

• The partnership is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) of India, which aims to promote entrepreneurship education in schools and colleges.

• Meta will provide digital marketing training to 5 lakh (500,000) entrepreneurs in India over the next three years.

• The training will be provided in 7 regional languages.

• Meta will also work with the government to develop curriculum and training materials for entrepreneurship education.

• The partnership is expected to create jobs and boost economic growth in India.

Some additional facts about Meta's commitment to India:

• Meta has invested over $5 billion in India since 2009.

• Meta employs over 7,000 people in India.

• Meta has launched a number of initiatives in India, including the "Creators of the Metaverse" program, the "Digital Skills for India" program, and the "Safer Internet for Girls" program.