On World Entrepreneurs’ Day, Wadhwani Foundation Calls For Supporting Entrepreneurship In India

·         With a rapidly emerging startup ecosystem, lots of mini-Silicon Valleys in India can emerge with the potential of spurring job and economic growth

·         The Indian startup ecosystem now has close to 700 incubators nurturing entrepreneurial journeys, and with help from mentors, investors, service providers, and consultants, the entrepreneurial ecosystem will further accelerate

·         Wadhwani Foundation, through its entrepreneurship-led initiative, Wadhwani Entrepreneur, inspires, educates, and enables startup entrepreneurs with knowledge and skills to grow and become investable

Celebrated on the 21st of August every year, World Entrepreneurs’ Day recognizes innovation and global advancement of entrepreneurship and leadership. It is well established that high-potential entrepreneurship that drives jobs at scale is born out of a culture of innovation and risk-taking. Entrepreneurship also breeds job creators as against job seekers, a crucial and fundamental aspect of India’s economic growth.

Commenting on World Entrepreneurs’ Day, Dr Ajay Kela, President and CEO, Wadhwani Foundation, said, “Entrepreneurs are like Olympians; they go through a harrowing journey, bringing glory to their teams and country by creating wealth and jobs. On this World Entrepreneurs’ Day, we salute the entrepreneurs of the world. With digitization and globalization, entrepreneurial ecosystems are rapidly evolving. In less than a decade, India has become the leading nation for startups and entrepreneurs, having crossed the mark of 100 unicorns, with 100 more expected in the next three years. Total established and recognized startups in India stand at ~73K today. Besides India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, and others are creating thriving startup ecosystems. We are living in unprecedented times for startups. Let the force be with them to produce the jobs the world needs for its growing youth population.”

The Indian startup ecosystem skyrocketed in 2021 to become the third largest globally, with a 3x increase in total funding over 2020. However, despite a stellar show, two challenges remain predominant in the Indian startup space:

(1) Many unicorns in India lack a compelling revenue base and require an infusion of cash flow for survival.

(2) The need to accelerate their digital transformation with technology and platforms through policies and support mechanisms towards domestic capital participation, favourable investment climate in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, incentives to set up incubators in every state, tax exemptions in foreign direct investments, and a high focus on startup infrastructure.

Says Sanjay Shah, Chief Operating Officer – India/SE Asia, Wadhwani Foundation, “At Wadhwani Foundation, we strive to support entrepreneurs as they are job creators making a significant and positive impact in emerging economies. They are true game changers who constantly innovate and rise by lifting others. On the occasion of World Entrepreneurs’ Day, I urge entrepreneurs to look at emerging fields like green technology (Electric Vehicles, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Recycling and Waste Management etc.) because apart from the obvious benefits related to sustainability, India has the potential to create 50 million jobs by 2070 by enabling a green economy.”

India, no doubt, has a rich, vibrant ecosystem of startups, both in terms of entrepreneurs and the best and brightest in the country wanting to pursue entrepreneurship. However, to mitigate the startup failure rate, Wadhwani Foundation’s advice to startups, especially in the early stages, is to spend with caution, focus on the customer and the problem that they are striving to solve, and have clear answers to these questions:

A.      How does the unit economics of the solution work?

B.      What does it take to produce the solution?

C.      What is the customer willing to pay for that pain?

D.      How large is the addressable market?

The YoY annual growth in the Indian startup ecosystem is projected at 12-15%. However, to consistently achieve this growth, the startup growth needs to be concurrent with the growth of ecosystem enablers and market catalysts like accelerators, incubators, venture capitalists, angel investors, support groups, technology corporations and mentors.

Tata Motors Wins Order Of 921 Electric Buses From Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation

Key Highlights:

* Wins orders for over 3,600 electric buses in under 30 days

* Order is a part of the larger tender by Convergence Energy Services Limited

* Tata Motors will be responsible to supply, operate and maintain 921 low-floor, 12-metre electric buses

Company has already received orders for 1,500 e-buses from Delhi Transport Corporation and 1,180 e-buses from West Bengal Transport Corporation, respectively in the last 30 days

* Tata Starbus offers superior design and best-in-class features for comfortable travel

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced that the company has won an order of 921 electric buses from Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Under the larger tender by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), Tata Motors will supply, operate and maintain 12-metre electric buses for a period 12 years, as per the contract. Tata Starbus is an indigenously developed vehicle with superior design and best-in-class features designed for sustainable and comfortable travel.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms. G Sathyavathi, IAS, Managing Director, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation said, “We are delighted to confirm the order of 921 electric buses to Tata Motors. This order is paramount for Bengaluru’s growing need for clean, sustainable urban mass mobility. BMTC is happy to induct modern electric buses that will attract maximum ridership for eco-friendly public transport.”

Ms. Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) said, “We are extremely pleased that BMTC has placed its order for electric buses under the Grand Challenge of CESL. This is a yet another significant milestone in the electric bus journey we are on. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Karnataka and BMTC for their commitment and to Tata Motors for their collaboration.”

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors said, “We are delighted that Tata Motors’ commitment towards modernising public transportation in India is further strengthened by receiving the prestigious order of electric buses from BMTC. Tata Motors has been at the forefront of developing smart, modern and energy efficient passenger commercial vehicles, catering to the needs of future mobility. We are confident that these environment-friendly electric buses will be beneficial for the residents of Bengaluru.”

Tata Motors has already received orders for 1,500 electric buses from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 1,180 electric buses from West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), respectively in the last 30 days. Tata Motors’ state-of-the-art research and development facilities have steadily worked to engineer innovative mobility solutions powered by alternate fuel technology, including battery-electric, hybrid, CNG, LNG and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Till date, Tata Motors has supplied more than 715 electric buses across multiple cities in India, which have cumulatively clocked more than 40 million kilometres.

B.C. Canada’s Western Hemlock And Yellow Cedar Making Their Mark In The Indian Hospitality Sector

Forestry Innovation Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (FII India), also known as Canadian Wood, is a crown corporation of British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada, with a mandate to promote certified wood from sustainable managed forests of B.C. Canada. Its main objective is to encourage the use of five distinct wood species from B.C. Canada in the Indian market, mainly known as: - S-P-F (Spruce-Pine-Fir), Western hemlock, Douglas-fir, Yellow cedar, and Western Red Cedar. These wood species have unique properties, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Through a network of 41 stockists in major cities, ready-to-use Canadian Wood lumber is available across the nation seasoned, sized, and graded.

The corporation joined hands with Indian designers, architects, and manufacturers to include Canadian wood species in hospitality projects as part of FII's strategy to increase awareness of these wood species in the Indian market.

A while ago, FII collaborated with an architecture firm, Wings the Design Studio and an interior design company, Minimal Stroke for a restaurant project in Pune called Celesto Bar & Restaurant.

An Overview of The Collaborators:

Wings the Design Studio is an internationally recognized architecture and interior design firm based in Pune. Since its establishment in 2001, Wings the Design Studio has served a range of clients, each with unique and difficult demands.

Minimal Stroke is regarded as a brand delivering high-quality “Made In India” lifestyle items ranging, from specifically designed outdoor solutions to custom interior furniture collection, art, and accessories. The company has 18 years of expertise and love for product design.

Celesto Bar & Restaurant has a seating capacity of 300 guests including both outdoor and indoor dynamic seating arrangements. The Architects and designers decided to give a cosy and inviting look to the restaurant by using Yellow Cedar for the outdoor table, chairs, and ceiling as the wood is very easy to work with and has a high moisture absorption ratio as long as the surface is fully polished. Western Hemlock was used for the indoor dining table, chairs, and panelling because of its sublime grainy texture.

Building partnerships and showcasing the benefits of using B.C. wood are two goals of FII India's ongoing collaboration with architects and designers. Both Wings the Design Studio and Minimal Stroke decided to band together with FII India on this project based on their previous experience with the company, which were considerable feats of architecture and design. Because they were already acquainted with Canadian wood from earlier projects and had been familiarized with B.C. wood species, the architects and designers decided to use Western hemlock and yellow cedar wood to achieve their goal of creating a warm and welcoming ambience within the space. A local Canadian wood stockist introduced to the designers by FII India team, FII India team who also offered technical assistance throughout the project. FII India has previously partaken in many such collaborations with designers and architects to spread the word about sustainable wood from B.C. Canada.

The application of BC. Wood species in Celesto Bar & Restaurant was a grand success. The design team was satisfied by the overall quality of the wood, both yellow cedar and Western hemlock, which gave the restaurant a unique and modern ambience. Showcasing wood design and products in busy establishments like Celesto Bar & Restaurant, Pune builds on ongoing market development activities in India and spreads the knowledge of the variety of uses for B.C wood species. FII India plans on increasing such number of collaborations with designers and architects to further highlight the benefits of using Canadian wood in the Indian space and expand on its commitment and engagement in the market.

Over 30% Of Employees Are Likely To Switch Jobs And 71% Are Concerned About Being Overlooked For Career Growth: PwC India

* Over 80% believe that their jobs can be done remotely.

* 71% of employees are concerned about being overlooked for career advancement.

* 54% of employees strongly/moderately agree that India faces a shortage of their skill sets.

* 75% of employees have had conversations on topics of social and political significance at work.

Workplaces in India have changed significantly over the past couple of years, with considerable mindset shifts for both employers and employees. While employers have been more focused on building a resilient workforce strategy, employees on their part are driven by opportunities for fulfilment, creativity, innovation and authenticity, apart from financial rewards. They have also been placing a premium on organisational trust, innovation and hybrid ways of working, according to PwC’s India Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2022, which provides important insights into employee drivers, aspirations and specific outcomes employees expect in the next 12 months, along with employee perspectives on transparency and implications of technology.

According to the survey, the shift to hybrid work is expected to continue, with 81% of employees in India believing that their jobs can be done remotely and with 31% of those who can work remotely already working in a hybrid way.

An important finding is that a significantly higher proportion of Indian employees (71%) are concerned about being overlooked for career advancement as compared to their global peers (21%). This points to the need for deploying more transparent and data-driven processes to define career pathways.

Chaitali Mukherjee, Partner and Leader, People and Organisation, PwC India said: “The disruptive landscape of social, environmental, economic and geopolitical changes has had profound consequences on organisations and their workforce strategies. Leaders need to consider these disruptions while drawing up their short- and long-term plans for the organisation as well as their people. The themes emerging from our survey throw light on how organisational strategy is experienced at the grassroots level. For an organisation to be fit for future, it is imperative that employee perspective dovetails with the employer’s perspective to accelerate transformation keeping in mind the workforce dynamics, with well-defined tangible measures to bring about greater alignment between both these aspects.”

India is one of the countries with a huge perceived gap in skills, with 54% of employees strongly/moderately agreeing that India faces a shortage of their skill sets and 67% believing that their job requires specialist training. At present, employers are seen as addressing skill shortages through wage increases, recruitment and automation, with fewer using upskilling as a strategic lever.

The survey finds that 34% of respondents in India believe they are extremely/very likely to switch to a new employer as compared to 19% globally. Further, 32% say they plan to leave the workforce. Millennials are the most likely to seek new employment, with 37% indicating that they are likely to switch employers in the next 12 months. While Gen Z employees are less likely to quit, 33% of them are extremely or very likely to ask for a reduction in work hours.

Also, more than half of the respondents in the survey are concerned about the lack of opportunities to work with or learn technological skills from their colleagues. This learning gap begins at the top, with more than 50% of CEOs perceiving a lack of opportunities for learning technological skills.

Sensitive social and political topics are occupying an increasingly important place in workplace conversations, with 75% of employees having had conversations of this nature, highlighting the need for employers to actively create safe spaces for such conversations.

The survey also highlights that employees expect more transparency and support in incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into their work.

“Balancing business considerations with employee aspirations is easier said than done. However, given the fact that the future of work is undergoing a massive overhaul, it is important to prioritise leadership and employee capabilities to drive change and move the needle in business,” Chaitali added.

PwC recommends that organisations adopt a data-driven approach to broaden their understanding of what drives employees. It is also critical to enable the shift to hybrid working through empowerment with equity by developing clarity in criteria and guardrails. Organisations should also prioritise investing in upskilling as a strategic lever to proactively address talent shortage, and use technology to augment human potential and reinvent the employee value proposition, while thinking creatively to navigate constraints and balance business considerations with individual aspirations.

About the survey:

The India Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2022 report is based on the findings of PwC’s Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2022. The survey included 2,608 participants from India, and 93% of them were full-time employees. Of the total number of employees surveyed, 78% were men, 16% were women and 5% were others, while 1% did not answer the question on gender. Further, 85% were employed in professional or administrative jobs, 10% did skilled manual work, and the remaining 5% did semi-skilled or unskilled manual work. The survey covered people across generations: 54% of those surveyed were millennials (26–41 years), 26% were Gen X (42–57 years), 15% were Gen Z (18–25 years of age) and 5% were baby boomers (58–76 years).

This report is an extension of PwC’s earlier ‘People and culture first: Transformation journey in the future of work’ report which provided insights into the challenges and impediments that often prevent organisations from becoming future ready, but perceived from the business leader’s lens.

Aster Medcity Introduces NeuroNav MER System In Partnership With Medtronic For Parkinson’s Disease Patients

* The partnership with Medtronic aims to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease, the role of DBS as a standard of care in the disease and increase patients’ access to advanced DBS therapy through the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Program.

* Having completed 50 DBS procedures in the last 15 months, Aster Medcity is the most active DBS Centre in Kerala.

Aster Medcity and India Medtronic Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), have partnered to build a comprehensive and advanced Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) program for Parkinson’s patients in India. The partnership supports the Aster Centre for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder by bringing together Aster's teams with their medical and surgical expertise in DBS therapy and Medtronic’s complete suite of DBS technologies along with technical expertise and support. Today we are happy to announce the introduction of the latest version of Microelectrode recording system for DBS surgeries – NeuroNav MER system (Alpha Omega) from Medtronic at Aster Medcity Kochi, making it the first centre in South Asia to bring in this technology.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that in the more advanced stages causes severe disability due to the increasing severity of movement related problems, balance and cognitive functions symptoms. Overall, movement disorders constitute 3-8% of neurological disorders in India with a crude prevalence rate (CPR) varying from 31 to 45/100,000 above 60 years of age.1 In 2016, it was estimated that 6.1 million people worldwide had Parkinson’s disease. The prevalence in India was estimated to be 10% of the global burden, that is, 5.8 lakhs.2 DBS is a therapy in which a small pacemaker-like device sends electrical signals through very thin wires, known as ‘leads’, to a targeted area in the brain related to the symptoms.

The aim of the partnership is to increase the outreach of the program to all the Parkinson’s and movement disorder patients who need the treatment, especially to those with relatively early onset (under 45 years) or young- onset of Parkinson’s disease so that they get back their mobility and functional capacity in the most productive years of their lives.

50 patients with Parkinson’s have benefitted from the partnership program in the last 15 months, making Aster Medcity the most active DBS Centre in Kerala. This was possible under the highly experienced clinical team comprising of Dr. Asha Kishore who has 20 years of experience in DBS treatment and Dr. Dilip Panikar, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon. Together, they performed the first DBS procedure in India in 1998. Aster’s expert team also comprises of Dr. Shejoy Joshua, Consultant Neurosurgery, Dr. Anup Nair, Consultant Neurosurgery and Dr. Kanchana Pillai, Consultant Neurologist.

“DBS procedure requires high level of skill and training for both the medical and surgical team members. Even with the current technologies, DBS is a challenging procedure for the DBS team worldwide. Accuracy of electrode placement in the very deep and small regions of brain is most critical in getting the best clinical outcome for the patients even if all other requirements are met.  DBS is superior to medical treatment in improving the quality of life and in reducing the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease if performed before the disease progresses to a very advanced stage. We are thrilled to collaborate with Medtronic, as partnerships like this can help to introduce the most advanced technologies such as NeuroNav MER system in DBS procedures. It will help the Movement Disorder specialist to provide accurate information to the Neurosurgeon on accuracy of targeting during DBS procedure,” explained Dr. Asha Kishore, Senior Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, Parkinson and Movement Disorder Centre at Aster Medcity.

Madan Krishnan, Vice President & Managing Director, Medtronic India said, “The aim of the partnership with Aster is to take Parkinson’s management to the next level by empowering surgeons to make faster and more accurate treatment decisions using DBS therapy. Clinicians can deliver truly data-driven, personalized therapy that fits the needs of today's patients. With the advanced NeuroNav MER systems, target localization, that used to take 40 to 45 minutes can now be done in 10 to 11 minutes. It serves as evidence of our dedication to the Medtronic Mission and Parkinson’s patients in India”

“Through our partnership with Medtronic, we are able to provide the latest advancements in Parkinson’s management.  The technology will enhance the quality of patients’ lives and further improve clinical outcomes. We are delighted to introduce and offer such advanced healthcare technologies and therapies to patients in Kerala and rest of India,” said Farhan Yasin, Regional Director, Aster Hospitals-Kerala & Oman.

“DBS is a minimally invasive procedure for accurately placing an electrode into a small target in the brain through a 14mm hole in the skull. Stimulation delivered through this electrode is used to modulate functioning in the brain and produce beneficial effects in various conditions like Parkinson's disease and others. The identification of the target is done with high-resolution CT and MRI scans and the placement of the electrode is done using stereotactic surgery. Advancements in technology have made it possible to map cellular activity and functioning, thus improving the accuracy of placement and obtaining better functional results,” said Dr. Anup P Nair, Consultant Neurosurgery, Aster Medcity.

Microelectrode recording (MER) has been considered the gold standard in ensuring accuracy for the deep brain stimulation procedure. The NeuroNav MER system, developed by Israel-based Medtech company Alpha Omega Engineering, has been defining the new standard in neural navigation for the past three decades and received international recognition from numerous global leaders in the field of neurosurgery. It is a compact, field-proven MER system, used clinically in the localization of surgical targets for the implantation of DBS electrodes for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. NeuroNav allows safe, simple and accurate insertion of electrodes into the brain, while recording neural activity and stimulating neural tissue.

About Aster Medcity

Aster Medcity, set in a soothingly beautiful 40-acre waterfront campus, is a 670-bed quaternary care facility located in Kochi, Kerala. Fulfilling the vision and dream of Dr Azad Moopen, our beloved chairman, the centre has been delivering quality healthcare at affordable cost through its Centres of Excellence and a multi-speciality hospital since 2013. Ours is the first JCI accredited quaternary care hospital in the state and combines the best of talent and technology to provide holistic treatment with a multidisciplinary approach.

Over the years, Aster Medcity has evolved itself into a medical destination - one that attracts not just thousands of patients across the world; but also attracts and nurtures the best talents, keep on upgrading technology as well as fostering research, education and a distinctive work culture that is ethically and socially relevant. Kerala’s first quaternary care hospital, Aster Medcity, has also been accredited by NABH. We have received NABH award for Nursing Excellence, Green OT (Green Operation Theatres), Certification by Bureau Veritas, all within a year of opening its door to the world.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for all. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic (NYSE:MDT), visit www.Medtronic.com and follow @Medtronic on Twitter and LinkedIn.

MlT And CII Mangalore Chapter To Organize Academia- Industry Conclave 1.0 In September

* The conclave will be held on September 10, 2022 in Manipal

* In the run up to the event a Hackathon on smart roads, transports and logistics will be held on September 9th, 2022

* Registrations for the conclave and the hackathon are now open

Manipal Institute of Technology in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Mangalore chapter is organizing Academy and Industry Conclave 1.0 at Manipal on September 10, 2022. The conclave is designed to host experts from industry and academia to deliberate on possible innovative projects through mutual support. The conclave is expected to facilitate institute collaborations with industries for academic, research projects, start-ups, and related activities.

As a part of the conclave, a Hackathon is being organized at MIT, Manipal on 9th September 2022.  The theme for the hackathon is Smart roads, transport and logistics and participants will be solving problem statements around various aspects of the theme.

The conclave will also include panel discussions between industry and academia and will provide students opportunities for networking and exploring projects/internships and collaboration with industries.

Speaking about the event Cdr (Dr) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, MAHE, Manipal said “The Industry-Institute conclave is being organized by MIT and CII Mangalore Chapter to provide a platform for close interaction between the industries and the academic institutes in the region.

In the run up to the event, teams of students from MIT and other institutes in the region will work on the problem statements provided by the industries and devise solutions showcasing their technical prowess and reach. At the same time, the platform will allow the local and regional industries and associations to apprise the academic institutes of their expectations from the graduates and the institutions themselves. The entire event is being generously supported by MAHE” said Dr Rana.

Jaro Education Collaborates With India’s Leading Technical University E&ICT Academy IIT Guwahati

Jaro Education, India’s most trusted online higher education company, has collaborated with India’s leading Electronics & Information, Communication Technology (E&ICT) Academy, IIT Guwahati, an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, to help professionals grow in the tech industry with the offering of technical courses & programmes. E&ICT Academy has already conducted 320+ courses and trained 18000+ learners across India, and 1200+ students and working professionals joined Advanced Certification Programme.

The technical courses and interdisciplinary programmes are carefully curated for mid and senior professionals to boost and upgrade their professional careers to improve the employability of graduates/diploma holders, including those in the Electronics and ICT streams.

As per a recent report, employment in computer and information technology occupations is 

poised to grow 13% by 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Adhering to the demand, Jaro Education, focusing on online higher education in association with E&ICT Academy, brings programmes that will include Data Science, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, EV, and many more. The programmes will be backed by Jaro Education’s exclusive Placement Assistance and Career Guidance services.

The aim is to create a pool of skilled human resources in emerging areas in consonance with the Digital India and Electronic Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) initiatives of the Government of India (GoI).

Dr Gaurav Trivedi, the Principal Investigator of E&ICT Academy IIT Guwahati, said, “This association will aid the Students / working Professionals industry to upgrade their skill sets in this ever-changing technological world. The program will be guided through the rich pool of Experts provided by E&ICT Academy IIT Guwahati and Jaro Education.”

Ms Ranjita Raman, CEO of Jaro Education, said, “We are glad to be collaborating with E & ICT Academy on this project. This mutually beneficial initiative will result in a rich exchange of knowledge and will enable students to stay current with industry practices. This programme will assist us in developing a talent pool with a competitive advantage, advanced knowledge, and a shrinking skills gap.”

Further, to enrich the competencies of the cohort, Jaro Education continues to open new avenues by offering high-quality education for working professionals to bridge them with relevant industry know-how.

Earlier, Jaro Education confederated with the world’s leading institutes such as Imperial College Business School London, Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), and Deakin University (Australia), to name a few – increasing its global footprints. This Edtech pioneer continues to expand its one-of-its-kind and new-age program portfolios by joining hands with leading top-ranked universities.

*Note* - Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), Government of India (GoI) has set up an Electronics and ICT (E&ICT) Academy at IIT Guwahati along with 06 other such academies.

About E&ICT Academy

Electronics & ICT Academy Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati). As an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), the Academy was set up at IIT Guwahati under the “Financial Assistance for setting up Electronics and ICT Academies” scheme. On 26 March 2015, the project started at IIT Guwahati and the Academy was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 19 January 2016. The objective of the Academy is to provide skill training to the Faculty Members (Engineering & Non-engineering) in the area of recent trends in engineering & ICT application. The Academy is designing specialized modules for imparting quality training for enhancing employability and capacity building in Electronics & ICT. In the past 7 years, the Academy has successfully conducted 300+ Faculty Development Programme through conventional classroom teaching and NKN virtual classroom mode in different Institutes/ Universities of North Eastern States in particular and a few in other states of India. To date, the Academy has successful trained 18000+ participants. The Academy has also signed MoU with Institutes/Universities to host the programmes and conduct hands-on sessions. The Academy collaborated with Industries as Training/Industry Partners. The Academy also offers online Advance Certification Courses in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Full Stack and VLSI Design and trained 1000+ graduates and working professionals. The Academy has also delivered training to Assam Police officials on cybercrime concepts and trained 90+ officials. The project has been extended to 30 September 2022. The Academy has been given a goal to train 13019+ faculty members by 30 September 2022, and the Academy has achieved the same by 31 March 2022.

About Jaro Education

Jaro Education is India’s most trusted online higher education company. The Edtech firm, a pioneer in the executive education industry, was founded in 2009 by Dr Sanjay Salunkhe and has been profit-making since its inception and is self-funded. The company has been awarded the Edtech leadership award and the National best employer accolade by World HRD Congress in March 2022. The company aims to nurture entrepreneurs & working professionals from entry-level to C-Suite level in every field and industry by offering executive education programs that cater to their requirements. Having been recognized for changing the online education landscape in India, Jaro Education provides more than 45+ management, technology and techno-functional programs in collaboration with top reputed institutes. They facilitate the development of management and technology-based online programs for many leading Indian and global institutes like Imperial College Business School London, Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Tiruchirappalli, IMT Ghaziabad, IIT Palakkad and others. With its strong domain expertise and insight into executive education, Jaro Education has transformed the careers of over 3 lakh professionals in the last 13+ years throughout its 20+ learning centres across India.