Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune has established Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development. It was launched during the international conference on “Women Leading the Future of Work” in collaboration with UNESCO.
Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion:
Objective
The UNESCO Chair is a prestigious global initiative designed to bridge gender gaps in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
- It aims to ensure greater participation of women in emerging economic sectors.
- It focuses on equitable skilling as a tool for social transformation and economic growth.
Institutional Collaboration
The initiative is supported by:
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
- Ministry of Education
- UNESCO and SSPU
It also involves global stakeholders such as:
- International Labour Organization
- UNESCO-UNEVOC (Germany)
- UNESCO Global Skills Academy (Paris)
Key Features
- Focus on Sunrise Sectors: Training women in advanced and future-oriented domains such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and defence technology.
- Industry-Aligned Skilling: Integration of academic training with real industry demand, supported by a network of 40+ industry experts and policymakers.
- Inclusive Outreach: Special emphasis on women from underserved communities, ensuring access to employment-oriented skill development.
- Global Knowledge Network: Facilitates collaboration with international organisations to enhance best practices in skill development and gender inclusion.
- Policy Integration: Backed by dual ministries to embed gender-inclusive skilling within India’s broader education and workforce framework.
Significance
- Establishes India as a global leader in inclusive workforce transformation, being the first such UNESCO Chair in Asia.
- Promotes women’s participation in high-value, future-ready sectors, enhancing economic empowerment.
- Strengthens the linkage between education, skills, and employability, particularly for marginalized groups.
- Contributes to achieving gender equality and inclusive growth in line with global development goals.