The Vodafone Idea Foundation, the CSR arm of Vodafone Idea (Vi), has partnered with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) to establish an IoT Center of Excellence at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women in Delhi. This is considered to be a significant step toward empowering India's youth with the latest technological skills.
The IoT Center of Excellence intends to close the skills gap in India by delivering hands-on training in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, AI,ML, IoT, security and surveillance. The comprehensive program will largely focus on preparing engineering students, particularly women, to excel in the fast-changing tech sector.
P Balaji, director of the Vodafone Idea Foundation and chief regulatory & corporate affairs officer of VIL, expressed his enthusiasm for the effort, citing India's demographic dividend and the country's potential to lead the technological innovation wave.
“Among the Top 5 economies in the world and as the fastest-growing major economy, India is set to further solidify its global position. The country's demographic dividend offers it the edge to be at the forefront of technology innovation, becoming a manufacturing hub and creating a talent pool for the world. For the youth to seize this opportunity, it is imperative that they acquire the right skills,” said Mr. Balaji.
Moreover, Arvind Bali, CEO of the Telecom Sector Skill Council, highlighted the growing demand for telecom skill sets across industries and sectors, saying, “The telecom industry is growing at a staggering rate with use cases in practically all sectors and industries. The effectiveness of these interventions heavily relies on a substantial workforce that can support such a vast array of infrastructure and services.“
This year, the IoT Center of Excellence intends to help 300 students through a combination of online and offline training programs. The center's projects will encompass a wide range of IoT applications, such as LED blinking, Arduino Module programming, Seven-Segment Display implementation, security and traffic management via a Boom Barrier Unit and data analysis from various sensors.
Dr. Amita Dev, vice-chancellor of Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, emphasized the importance of empowering women in STEM professions, as well as connecting curriculum with industry demands and giving practical skills for successful jobs.
Dr. Dev explained, “By aligning our curriculum with industry needs, students gain practical skills for their careers. We're dedicated to fostering gender diversity and inclusivity, offering women enhanced opportunities, mentorship and hands-on training. Together, we propel STEM education, opening doors to exciting careers and driving societal progress. We extend our gratitude to the Vi Foundation and TSSC for their support.
The IoT-CoE is a result of the Vodafone Idea Foundation and Telecom Sector Skill Council’s collaboration to stimulate technological innovation and the development of a trained workforce for India's digital economy.
