Vodafone Idea Foundation, in partnership with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), has launched the IoT Centre of Excellence at Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW) in Delhi, the telco said in a statement. The centre will provide hands-on training in new age and emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), IoT (internet of things), security, and surveillance to build a skilled workforce for the future.

“The country's demographic dividend offers it the edge to be at the forefront of technology innovation, becoming a manufacturing hub, and creating (a) talent pool for the world. We have taken an important step to develop the right skill-sets to give Indian youth the advantage," P Balaji, director, Vodafone Idea Foundation and chief regulatory & corporate affairs officer, VIL, said.

Vodafone Idea added in the media statement that the new centre's comprehensive curriculum will empower engineering students, particularly women, with the knowledge and practical skills required to excel in the digital era.

This year, the IoT Centre of Excellence aims to benefit a total of 300 students through a combination of online and offline training modules, the telco said. The projects offered at the centre include a range of IoT applications. “The telecom industry is growing at a staggering rate with use cases in practically all sectors and industries. The effectiveness of these interventions heavily relies on a substantial workforce that can support such a vast array of infrastructure and services," Arvind Bali, chief executive, Telecom Sector Skill Council, said.

He added that the aim of the new centre is to enhance the livelihood opportunities for women through technical skill development and the institute is focused on inclusive blended learning and designed to teach the practical applications of IoT through custom designed courses. “This partnership bridges the gap between (the) Academia and Industry, empowering women in STEM fields," Amita Dev, vice chancellor, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW), Delhi, said. By aligning the curriculum with industry needs, students can gain practical skills for their careers, she added.