Dharmendra Pradhan Launches 3-year Partnership with Meta to Empower Students, Educators & Entrepreneurs

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, today launched a groundbreaking three-year partnership titled "Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a Generation of Students, Educators, and Entrepreneurs" in New Delhi, marking a significant step forward in the advancement of digital skilling and entrepreneurship in India.

During the launch event, three Letters of Intent (LoI) were exchanged between Meta and key education institutions: the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The event was attended by Minister of State for Education, Annpurna Devi, and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, underscoring the government's commitment to this transformative initiative.

Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to position India as a global hub for skills and empower the nation's youth. He described the "Education to Entrepreneurship" partnership as a game-changer, aimed at democratizing digital skilling by reaching every corner of the country. This endeavor seeks to enhance the capabilities of India's talent pool, and seamlessly connect students, young adults, the workforce, and micro-entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies, ultimately transforming the youth into innovative problem solvers and entrepreneurs.

The minister emphasized the importance of technology as an equalizer for India's diverse society and noted that this initiative, guided by the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), will open doors to endless possibilities in equipping the population with vital digital skills while also empowering micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in his address, highlighted the government's commitment to preparing the youth and workforce for the rapidly changing technological landscape and the global economy. He stressed that digital skills are not just about fostering innovation but also serve as a bridge to connect rural and self-employed entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand and succeed in today's digital age.

In a video message, Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Meta, expressed his gratitude to Dharmendra Pradhan for his support in bringing this transformative partnership to fruition. Clegg highlighted India's talent pool and rapid digital adoption as key factors making it an ideal place for Meta to invest in emerging technologies.

He emphasized Meta's dedication to empowering Indian students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs, with a special focus on skill development for Indian startups and businesses. Meta has a proven track record of collaboration with India during its G20 Presidency, particularly in areas such as education, job creation, skill development, and user safety.

As part of the partnership with NIESBUD, Meta has committed to providing digital marketing skills to 500,000 entrepreneurs over the next three years. This initiative will offer training in digital marketing skills using Meta's platforms in seven regional languages, aiming to bridge the digital divide and promote entrepreneurship across the nation. The launch event also featured three short films showcasing the details of these promising partnerships.

With this groundbreaking partnership, India takes a giant step towards realizing its vision of becoming a global skill capital and fostering a new generation of digitally empowered entrepreneurs.