The Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) in Pune officially launched the UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development on Friday. This initiative aims to strengthen gender inclusion within India's skilling ecosystem by expanding access to future skills for women and improving their employability in emerging sectors.
Inauguration and Key Objectives
The chair was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary. It is designed to promote inclusive skill development models, support research, and create pathways for women, particularly from underserved communities, into high-growth fields such as robotics, semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing, and defence.
The initiative will also focus on policy inputs, global collaboration, and training frameworks that align with UNESCO priorities. SSPU officials stated that the chair will support curriculum development, faculty exchange, and global partnerships to strengthen research and training in gender-inclusive skilling.
Statements from Leaders
Speaking at the launch, Minister Chaudhary remarked, "This initiative will help bridge the skill gap among youths, particularly women, and create more inclusive opportunities in high-growth sectors." Aditi Tatkare, State Minister for Women and Child Development, emphasized that such programmes are key to "building confidence, independence, and long-term empowerment for women."
The UNESCO chair will be led by SSPU Pro-Chancellor Swati Mujumdar. She stated, "Our focus is on creating access to future-ready skills for girls and ensuring they translate into real employment opportunities. Under this initiative, around 10,000 girls have already been trained in emerging technologies, with many securing job offers."
International Conference and Collaborations
The launch took place during an international conference on "Women Leading the Future of Work," organized in collaboration with UNESCO. The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic institutions to discuss women's participation in new-age sectors. Themes included artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, defence technology, semiconductors, and global capability centres.
SSPU officials noted that the chair will also support curriculum development, faculty exchange, and global partnerships to strengthen research and training in gender-inclusive skilling. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes across sectors such as data science, AI, defence technology, and sustainable energy. Recently, it introduced specialized courses including a BTech in defence and semiconductor technology.
Additional Initiatives and MoUs
As part of the event, the university launched initiatives such as "Kushal Saathi" to mentor girls in STEM and released a research compendium on skilling. It also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with companies including Jabil and Larsen & Toubro to strengthen industry-linked training.
With over 300 participants and representatives from global organizations, the conference and the launch of the UNESCO chair are expected to support structured efforts towards increasing women's participation in the workforce through targeted skill development and industry collaboration.
