Cisco to provide digital learning support to govt-backed vocational institutes

California-based networking giant Cisco Systems has partnered with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to provide digital technology support to government-run National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

As per the agreement, Cisco will equip six NSTIs with its connected classroom solution, a digital education platform.

The partnership will provide digital learning solutions to students and faculty of the NSTIs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida and Kanpur, said the statement issued by Cisco.

The tie-up between Cisco and the DGT is part of Cisco’s country digital acceleration, a programme which aims to collaborate with the government, industry circles and academia to promote digital initiatives across the public and private sectors.

Apart from the NSTIs, trainers and students across all ITIs will have access to the educational resources through the Bharat Skills portal, an online platform for vocational training operated by the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship.

More than 20,000 trainers and trainees are expected to benefit from the learning initiative, the statement added. 

“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,” said Rajesh Aggarwal, director general, DGT.

“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,” said Sameer Garde, president, India and SAARC, Cisco.

DGT is a part of the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship and is responsible for the development and coordination of programmes relevant to vocational training.

Recent collaborations between Cisco and state governments

Earlier this year, Cisco and the Gujarat government had spoken about rolling out digital training and skill development initiatives across the state. 

In July, the Kerala government partnered with Cisco to harness data science technologies for the benefit of the farming communities in the state. 

That same month, Cisco announced that it would help provide free WiFi internet access to the public across 200 locations in Bengaluru via the Google Station platform by September 2019.