Cisco, Directorate General of Training partner to enable digital learning for NSTI students and trainers

Cisco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to bring the benefits of digital technology to six National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), which is in alignment with the Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program.

The agreement was signed between Rajesh Aggarwal, director general (training), additional secretary, ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Sameer Garde, president, Cisco India and SAARC in the presence of Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MSDE), on 30 September 2019, at the Launch of Apprenticeship Pakhawara event in New Delhi.

Speaking about the partnership, Sameer Garde said: “In order to succeed in a digital economy, students need to be armed with new skills, taught in new ways. Through innovative digital solutions, Cisco is effecting change on a national scale in the education system by allowing students to collaborate and offering access to crucial resources to enhance their knowledge and skill set. We are excited to enable learning from anywhere and on any device, in ways that reimagine what’s possible.”

Under this initiative, NSTIs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, and Kanpur will be equipped with Cisco Connected Classroom solution, which utilizes Cisco’s Collaboration solutions like TelePresence and Webex, to offer a digital learning experience to the students and faculty of NSTIs, says a press release.

The platform is aimed at providing NSTIs with access to new learning experiences like virtual field trips and specialized skill modules, guest lecturers, as well as industry-connect and mentorship programs irrespective of geographical location. Additionally, interested trainers and trainees across all ITIs will have access to new educational resources through the Bharat Skills portal, an e-learning platform, using their smartphones and other connected devices.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, MSDE said: “Through this partnership, we are aiming to impact thousands of students by enabling the sharing of study materials, lectures, and other training resources. This deployment will help us increase collaboration, optimize our resources, and streamline administration, as well as help students learn at their own pace across all ITIs. We are happy to partner with Cisco to explore the possibility of digitization in education and hope to reach more students and teachers soon.”

“We aim to strive ahead in this technological age by ensuring that the nation’s youth is skilled digitally along with traditional vocational skills to help them adapt to the new-age technology and ensure industry readiness. Over the past year DGT has collaborated with many industry leaders to digitally revolutionize the vocational training system in India”, said Rajesh Aggarwal, director general, DGT, about this new partnership.