Union Minister Pradhan launches 'Education to Entrepreneurship' partnership with Meta to empower India's youth
In a momentous stride towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of positioning India as global hub for skill development, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, today launched a transformative 3-year partnership, “Education to Entrepreneurship: Empowering a generation of students, educators, and entrepreneurs.” This initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Meta (formerly Facebook).
At the launch event held in New Delhi, Pradhan exchanged three Letters of Intent (LoI) with Meta representatives, marking the start of cooperation between Meta and 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 occasion was graced by the presence of Minister of State for Education, Annpurna Devi and Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
Addressing the gathering, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the initiative's alignment with the vision to empower India's youth and workforce. He labelled the “Education to Entrepreneurship” partnership as a game-changer, aiming to bring digital skilling to the grassroots level. This initiative will equip India's talent pool with futuristic technologies, fostering a new generation of problem solvers and entrepreneurs. Pradhan stressed the importance of technology as an equalizer for the diverse Indian society, guided by the tenets of the National Education Policy (NEP).
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in his address, highlighted the government's commitment of preparing the youth for the rapidly evolving technological landscape. He emphasized that digital skills would not only promote entrepreneurship but also bridge the gap for numerous small rural and self-employed entrepreneurs, facilitating their growth and success.
Meta President, Global Affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, expressed gratitude to minister Pradhan for supporting the partnership between education and skilling sectors. He underscored India's talent base and rapid digital adoption as ideal conditions for investment in emerging technologies. Meta aims to empower India's students, youth, and entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on skill development for Indian startups and businesses.
As part of the partnership with NIESBUD, Meta will provide digital marketing skills training to 5 lakh entrepreneurs over the next three years. This training will be conducted in seven regional languages, benefiting both budding and existing entrepreneurs. Additionally, the event showcased three short films providing insights into the details of these partnerships.
The event saw the participation of prominent figures, including Secretary, Higher Education K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy Sanjay Kumar, and Chairman of AICTE Prof. T.G. Sitharam, among others. The partnership between the government and Meta is poised to usher in a new era of skill development, entrepreneurship, and technological empowerment of India.
