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Partnership Between Ministry of Education and Meta to Empower Students, Educators, and Entrepreneurs Launched
Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, has officially launched a 3-year partnership between the Ministry of Education, Ministry Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta, titled “Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs.” The event, held on 4 September in New Delhi witnessed the exchange of three Letters of Intent (LoI) between Meta and NIESBUD, AICTE, and CBSE. Minister of State for Education Smt. Annpurna Devi and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar were also present at the ceremony.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a skill capital of the world. The “Education to Entrepreneurship” partnership is expected to bring digital skilling to grassroots levels, equipping students, youth, and micro-entrepreneurs with futuristic technologies. It aims to transform India’s younger generation into problem solvers and entrepreneurs, thereby enhancing the nation’s capabilities.
The Union Minister stressed the need to bridge the gap between India’s democracy, demography, and diversity with technology to create an equitable society. Underpinned by the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP), Meta’s collaboration with NIESBUD, CBSE, and AICTE is poised to offer numerous possibilities for imparting essential digital skills, empowering micro-entrepreneurs, and bolstering small businesses.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the government’s commitment to preparing the youth and workforce for an evolving technological landscape. He emphasized that digital skills would serve as a bridge, linking countless small rural, micro, and self-employed entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand and succeed in today’s dynamic economy.
Meta’s President, Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, expressed gratitude to Shri Dharmendra Pradhan for facilitating the partnership between education and skilling, two crucial segments of the workforce. Clegg acknowledged India’s talent pool and rapid digital adoption, making it an ideal location for investing in emerging technologies. He anticipates Meta’s significant contribution to empowering Indian students, youth, and entrepreneurs. The focus will be on skill development for Indian startups and businesses, building on the collaboration forged during India’s G20 Presidency, particularly in areas like education, job creation, skill development, and user safety.
Under the partnership with NIESBUD, approximately 5 lakh entrepreneurs will gain access to digital marketing skills through Meta’s platform over the next three years. Training will be provided in seven regional languages, targeting both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
The launch event was attended by prominent figures such as Secretary, Higher Education, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy; Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Secretary, MSDE Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; Chairman, AICTE, Prof. T.G. Sitharam; Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum NBA NAAC, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe; President, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Shri Subhrakant Panda, along with senior officials from various ministries and organizations, including AICTE, CBSE, NIESBUD, and Meta India.
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB), New Delhi