In a pivotal step to enhance technical education in India, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and the Government of Maharashtra, represented by its Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, in New Delhi.
Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, noted that this collaboration will provide students with practical education tailored to industry needs, starting in the state and later extending to other states. The initiative will particularly focus on Polytechnic institutions, ITIs, and the newly established university in the state, offering promising opportunities for the youth, especially in the IT sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by the state’s Minister of Higher & Technical Education, Chandrakant Dada Patil, along with other key officials, including Dr. Vinod Mohitkar, Director of Technical Education, and Dr. Pramod Naik, Director of the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education.
Establishing Centers of Excellence in Emerging Technologies
The MoU aims to create Centers of Excellence in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, and 3D Printing at government polytechnics and engineering colleges in Maharashtra. These centers will focus on capacity training and Research & Development, with plans to secure funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and other government organizations through joint project proposals.
Minister Vaishnaw commended the initiative and the proactive approach of Minister Patil in establishing these Centers of Excellence, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational programs with industry needs. Maharashtra already boasts a robust infrastructure of polytechnics, ITIs, and higher education institutions, which are well-equipped to support these centers in emerging technologies. This foundation has facilitated the state’s ability to seek central government funding, with support from MeitY, positioning Maharashtra at the forefront of advanced technical education and innovation.
Vaishnaw recognized Patil’s insight in acknowledging Maharashtra’s industrial strength and the necessity of equipping youth with relevant skills in the current economy. He stated, “The industrial base of Maharashtra, which spans 150-200 years, must be complemented by the technical education needed for today’s youth, aligning with the National Education Policy’s focus on practical and technical learning.”
This initiative is expected to generate significant opportunities for students, providing them with essential skills and job placement support to thrive in an ever-changing technological environment. Currently, Maharashtra has 40 government polytechnics and 300 private polytechnic institutions.
The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education has already established a Center of Excellence in IoT at six government polytechnics and in Robotics & Automation at three. Additional Centers of Excellence will be developed at remaining government polytechnics using funding made available through this MoU.
