Three Key Agreements Signed In Uttarakhand To Boost Social Development, Digital Talent And AI-based Education

In a significant move to advance social and technological development in Uttarakhand, three important agreements were signed on Wednesday at the Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The agreements aim to transform the state into a hub for digital talent, modern AI-based education, and comprehensive social upliftment.

The first agreement, a tripartite MoU between the Uttarakhand Government, Setu Commission, and Tata Trust, focuses on accelerating social and economic development in the state. This 10-year collaboration will address crucial areas such as water management, nutrition, telemedicine, rural livelihoods, and green energy.

The second agreement was signed between the Setu Commission, Higher Education and Technical Education Departments, and NASSCOM/IT-ITES Sector Skill Council. The initiative aims to position Uttarakhand as a digital talent hub by integrating technology-based courses into the curriculum of all government and private higher education institutions across the state. These programs, supported by the Future Skills Prime platform, will focus on Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Python, and Generative AI, targeting skill development for 1.5 lakh students. Additionally, one ‘mentor institute’ will be established in each district to guide implementation.

The third agreement, with the Wadhwani Foundation, is a three-year partnership that focuses on AI-driven personality development and self-employment-oriented skill training for students. Starting from the next academic session, all government higher education institutions in Uttarakhand will include these courses with academic credit. This program aims to benefit approximately 1.2 lakh students.

Chief Minister Dhami lauded the initiatives, stating, “The three agreements signed today will be extremely useful in preparing our youth for future challenges and ensuring the inclusive development of our state. We are committed to reaching the last person in the queue with the benefits of technology and education.”

He emphasized that these partnerships are strategic steps toward making Uttarakhand a modern center of Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital learning, ultimately enhancing the employability and soft skills of students.

The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Setu Commission Vice Chairman Mr. Raj Shekhar Joshi, Chief Secretary Mr. Anand Bardhan, Setu Commission CEO Mr. Shatrughan Singh, Tata Trust CEO Mr. Siddharth Sharma, NASSCOM Skill Council CEO Ms. Abhilasha Gaur, and Wadhwani Foundation Executive VP Mr. Sunil Dahiya, along with senior government officials.