Ahmedabad: National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gujarat to launch a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence for Skill Development. The two organizations formalized their alliance through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi. The initiative aims to equip learners with hands-on experience in manufacturing skill sets across critical sectors such as Energy, Health, Water, and Food.

The Centre of Excellence will focus on delivering specialized training in emerging technologies, including VLSI Design, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Smart Manufacturing, Blockchain, and more. With over 40 online and hybrid courses designed for students across ITI, Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Skill India Mission, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and National Credit Framework by integrating vocational education and skill development into mainstream academia.

Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC & MD, NSDC International said, “Today, we partnered with Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) at the Startup Mahakumbh to strengthen the skilling ecosystem in the energy sector. This collaboration will support the development of training infrastructure in smart manufacturing, along with Centres of Excellence focused on automotive, EV charging, renewable energy, and semiconductors. Training in the semiconductor domain is already underway, paving the way for youth to gain practical exposure in high-demand, future-oriented fields.”

Dr. S. Sundar Manoharan, Director General, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, said, “We are proud to collaborate with NSDC under the visionary leadership of Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari. With their support, PDEU has transformed its infrastructure into a hub for advanced skill training, especially in high-demand sectors like renewable energy and semiconductors. Our newly launched ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Centre is designed to train students in back-end packaging, encapsulation, and other critical skills, creating a strong pipeline of industry-ready talent.”

PDEU has been at the forefront of energy education and skill development since its inception in 2007. The university has empowered students by integrating industry-standard manufacturing lines within its academic campus, including a 45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line and an ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line. These facilities bridge the gap between academia and industry while fostering innovation in renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind energy, lithium and vanadium energy storage systems, carbon capture solutions, and smart hybrid grids.

“This marks a significant shift—where industry is now turning to academia for manufacturing-focused skilling. For the first time, experiential learning of up to 225 hours is being integrated into academic credits through the National Credit Framework. We deeply value NSDC’s continued guidance and support in building this impactful and scalable education model.” added Dr Manoharan.

Through this collaboration with NSDC, PDEU will further enhance its infrastructure by incorporating advanced manufacturing capabilities into the Centre of Excellence. The CoE will serve as a hub for skill development programs nationwide, targeting students from Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 institutions. It is aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG-4 (Quality Education), SDG-7 (Affordable & Clean Energy), SDG-13 (Climate Action), and SDG-17 (Partnerships for Goals).

To ensure seamless operations and sustainability, a Section 8 company will be established as part of this initiative. Jointly owned by PDEU and NSDC Trust, this entity will manage the CoE’s activities while creating an independent revenue stream through course fees. It will also support flagship national initiatives like Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat by preparing students for core manufacturing processes and fostering self-reliance in critical industries.

The Centre of Excellence is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing India’s growing demand for skilled manpower as it prepares to have the largest working-age population by 2030. Through practical exposure delivered by industry-certified trainers provided by NSDC, the initiative seeks to enhance employability among students while contributing to India’s socio-economic development. DeshGujarat