Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji virtually inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Kanpur, an institute mentored by IIT Kanpur at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur. The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Member of Parliament Shri Satyadev Pachauri; Member of Legislative Assembly, UP, Shri Surendra Maithani; General Manager of HAL Kanpur, Shri Ajay Kumar Shrivastava; Principal Secretary Vocational Education and Skill Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri M. Devraj, IAS; Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mr. J. D. Masilamani; along with a representative of Dassault Aviation, and faculty members of IIT Kanpur.
To train and upskill the youth in emerging technologies, IIT Kanpur and IIS Kanpur signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in November 2023, with IIT Kanpur agreeing to mentor IIS for the next five years. The agreement was inked in the presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
IIT Kanpur’s role includes mentoring the development of laboratory infrastructure at IIS Kanpur, designing a suitable course curriculum based on the laboratory system, aiding in the recruitment process of faculty members and technical experts, offering joint certificate and diploma courses approved by both institutes and establishing the Centre for Deep Skill Training and Research (CDSTAR) at IIT Kanpur to complement the training at IIS Kanpur.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said:
It is a matter of pride for IIT Kanpur to be associated with IIS Kanpur as a mentor. Inaugurated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji with the collective vision of nurturing excellence in skill development, the Institute will chalk a new path for Viksit Bharat. As a mentor institution, we are committed to providing consistent direction and support to IIS Kanpur, facilitating the development of a professional workforce capable of driving India’s advancement and innovation on a global scale.
To enhance experiential learning and foster a fusion of skill and knowledge among IIS and IITK students, at least six Deep-skill laboratories will be hosted in IIT Kanpur’s Centre for Deep Skill Training and Research. It will feature labs for noise and vibration, advanced control systems, advanced robotics, semiconductor packaging, medical imaging, and drugs and pharmaceuticals. IIT Kanpur will incorporate talented people from IIS into the entrepreneurship environment at its SIIC and Technology Park.
J. D. Masilamani, Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, UP, added:
This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards encouraging skill development and entrepreneurship in India. Through the mentorship of esteemed institutions like IIT Kanpur, we can empower individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of industry and innovation. This partnership represents the synergy between academia, industry, and government, laying the foundation for a skilled and prosperous nation.
Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, HAL Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, will lead the team from IIT Kanpur as Professor-in-Charge, along with a core team consisting of Dr Abhilash Patel and Dr Soumya Ranjan Sahoo from the Department of Electrical Engineering; and Dr Keval S Ramani, Dr Virkeshwar from Department of Mechanical Engineering as co-coordinators. Subsequently, more faculty members from IIT Kanpur will join this endeavour.
Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, HAL Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, commented:
It is an immense honour to lead our team in shaping the vision of the Indian Institute of Skills Kanpur. Together, we aim to empower individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation for IIS Kanpur on December 19, 2016. The building, which spans 16,000 square meters, is now ready for laboratory development at the NSTI site. The complex will feature 12 cutting-edge skill development laboratories organized into four primary categories: Machining and Manufacturing, Digital Technology, Information Technology, and Special Purpose Technology.
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. The institute is best known for the highest standard of education in science and engineering and for seminal R&D contributions over the years. It includes 19 departments, 25 centres, and three multidisciplinary programmes in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management, with about 570 full-time faculty and nearly 9000 students.
