“Transforming Skilling Ecosystem: NSDC and IIM Bodh Gaya Join Forces for Social Impact”

IIM Bodh Gaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on 31st July 2023 in New Delhi, Kaushal Bhawan. It was led by Prof. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya and Sh. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC, in the presence of Secretary, MSDE, Sh. Atul Kumar Tiwari. By focusing on underserved sections and regions, the collaboration aims to bring about inclusive economic development and upliftment of marginalized communities, contributing to India’s overall socio-economic progress.
The partnership between the NSDC and IIM Bodh Gaya encompasses a wide array of initiatives to create a positive social impact. Joint research activities and surveys will be conducted to understand industry needs and ground aspirations, focusing on shaping employability skills, ensuring employment, and enhancing income levels (the 4E approach). The collaboration will also mobilize and partner with universities and colleges to bridge the gap between academic education and industry demands, empowering college students as envisioned under NEP 2020.
Furthermore, the MoU aims to promote grassroots innovations and social entrepreneurship, harnessing institutional strengths and networks. It will support dynamic skilling programs tailored to market demands and future requirements while linking social enterprises and SMEs to incubation support and mentorship for sustainable outcomes. The partnership will also contribute to strengthening the rural economy, providing training on market linkages, marketing, export promotion, and leadership for women.
With a focus on data analytics and AI, the NSDC and IIM Bodh Gaya plan to gain insights into industry trends and identify gaps for informed decision-making in skilling initiatives. They will collaborate on methodologies and experimental designs, building predictive models for data-driven decisions and enhancing the overall skilling landscape. Moreover, the MoU outlines the provision of inputs for special NSDC impact projects in socio-economically deprived sections, such as aspirational districts and border areas. It also highlights the importance of training programs for MSMEs, aligning them with global supply chain demands and designing entrepreneurship development programs.
This collaboration empowers learners with a comprehensive understanding and proficiency to effectively tackle prevailing environmental and social challenges. This initiative aspires to cultivate a culture of sustainable business practices and responsible corporate governance by equipping participants with the requisite knowledge and skills.
In response to the dynamic nature of today’s world, the courses have been meticulously curated to imbue individuals with the essential attributes of resilience and adaptability. These courses are tailored to nurture innovative thinking and foster the development of dynamic leadership capabilities, positioning participants to thrive in the face of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity inherent in the VUCA world.
The training of trainers is strategically designed to elevate non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by enhancing their training acumen. This augmentation empowers them to become effective agents of change within their communities, enabling the proficient delivery of skill development programs through adept capacity-building and handholding techniques.
Through an internship program, students of IIM Bodh Gaya will be groomed for rural marketing and SHG-Cooperatives promotion and encouraged to conduct case studies or research papers to showcase the transformative effects of skill development interventions, especially for MSMEs and underserved communities. Overall, this MoU reflects a comprehensive and multi-faceted collaboration that addresses key challenges in India’s skilling ecosystem while fostering social and economic growth across various sectors.