New Delhi : The Tech Mahindra Foundation, in partnership with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and AT&T Global Network Services India Pvt. Ltd. (AGNSI), has launched the SMART Academy for Digital Technologies in Delhi. The inauguration took place on October 4, 2024. Established in 2006, the Tech Mahindra Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) branch of Tech Mahindra Limited, dedicated to the vision of ‘Empowerment through Education,’ with a focus on education, employability, women empowerment, and support for individuals with disabilities.
The Chief Guest for the event was Arun Karna, MD & CEO of AT&T Global Network Services India, while M. Nasim Haider, Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia, served as the Guest of Honor. The inauguration was presided over by Prof. M. Shakeel, Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. Other notable attendees included Prof. Rihan Khan Suri, Director of CIE, JMI; Prof. Mini S. Thomas, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering & Technology at JMI; as well as Chetan Kapoor, CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, and Sajid Ali, COO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, along with distinguished guests from various fields.
In his remarks during the inauguration, Prof. M. Shakeel emphasized the importance of equipping the youth of the nation with modern skills and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset to improve employability. He expressed enthusiasm for the role of Jamia Millia Islamia in contributing to the country’s economic growth and development. The Tech Mahindra SMART Academy aims to provide intensive, high-quality vocational training to help India’s youth gain the necessary skills and knowledge for careers in allied healthcare services, digital technologies, and logistics. The Academy will offer career-oriented certificate courses such as Graphic Design, Digital Marketing, AWS re/Start, Java Full Stack Development, PHP Full Stack Development, UI/UX Development, among others. Additionally, it will include foundational courses in English, IT, soft skills, and personality development to prepare students for the job market.
The SMART Digital Technologies Academies have already been established in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. Arun Karna, MD & CEO of AT&T Global Network Services India, highlighted India’s vast youthful talent pool and the flourishing startup ecosystem and emphasized the importance of empowering the next generation through advanced skills training and innovation.
Chetan Kapoor, CEO of Tech Mahindra Foundation, also noted that their initiatives are aligned with market demands, blending modern technologies with essential soft skills and personality development.
Tech Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group, which was founded in 1945 and is one of the largest multinational corporations, employing 260,000 individuals across over 100 countries. The company holds a leadership position in various sectors including farm equipment, utility vehicles, IT, and financial services in India, and is recognized as the world’s largest tractor manufacturer by volume. The Mahindra Group is committed to ESG initiatives globally, aimed at fostering rural prosperity and enhancing urban living to drive positive change in communities and stakeholder lives.
The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is a key player in JMI’s innovation ecosystem, promoting entrepreneurial thinking and skills through initiatives like the Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI) and the SMART Academy for Digital Technologies. These centers provide practical training, mentorship, and support to aspiring entrepreneurs. The Design Innovation Centre (DIC) further enhances this ecosystem by encouraging creative problem-solving and product development.
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has recently achieved the notable distinction of ranking 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 in India, showcasing its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. The university has excelled in various fields, including science, social sciences, humanities, and professional studies, underscoring its dynamic approach to educating the next generation of leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
