UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion in Skilling Launched at SSPU, Signals Major Push for Women in Future Skills
Pune, April 25, 2026: In a significant development for India’s skilling ecosystem, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) has launched a UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development, aimed at accelerating women’s participation in high-growth and emerging technology sectors.
The initiative, inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, is expected to serve as a national and global hub for research, policy advocacy, and capacity building focused on inclusive skilling frameworks.
A Strategic Intervention in India’s Skill Landscape
At its core, the UNESCO Chair seeks to address persistent gender disparities in access to advanced technical skills. The programme will focus on enabling women—particularly those from underserved communities—to enter and thrive in sectors such as robotics, semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing, defence, and Industry 4.0 domains. Officials at SSPU emphasized that the Chair will function as a multi-dimensional platform—supporting curriculum innovation, fostering global academic partnerships, and facilitating faculty exchange programmes. It will also contribute to policy recommendations aligned with UNESCO’s global priorities on inclusive education and workforce development. Government and Industry Backing
Speaking at the launch, Minister Chaudhary underscored the broader national importance of the initiative, noting that bridging the gender skill gap is essential for India’s economic growth and workforce competitiveness. He highlighted that such interventions can unlock new opportunities for women in sunrise sectors and strengthen the country’s human capital base. Echoing this sentiment, Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, described the programme as a catalyst for long-term empowerment. She stressed that skill-based interventions not only enhance employability but also build confidence and independence among women. Early Impact and Institutional Vision
The UNESCO Chair will be led by SSPU Pro-Chancellor Swati Mujumdar, who revealed that the university has already trained approximately 10,000 girls in emerging technologies, with a significant number securing employment opportunities. “Our focus is on ensuring that access to future-ready skills translates into real jobs,” Mujumdar stated, outlining the Chair’s emphasis on outcome-driven skilling pathways. Global Collaboration and Industry Linkages
The launch coincided with an international conference titled “Women Leading the Future of Work,” which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts. Discussions centred on women’s participation in AI, semiconductors, defence technologies, and global capability centres—areas seen as critical to India’s next phase of economic expansion. In a move to strengthen industry alignment, SSPU also signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading companies such as Jabil and Larsen & Toubro. These partnerships aim to create stronger pathways between training and employment, ensuring that skill development remains demand-driven. Additionally, initiatives like “Kushal Saathi” were introduced to mentor young girls in STEM fields, alongside the release of a research compendium on skilling trends. Broader Implications for Skill Councils and Ecosystem Stakeholders
For Sector Skill Councils and training providers, the establishment of this UNESCO Chair marks a pivotal shift toward embedding gender inclusion into mainstream skilling strategies. It signals a move beyond access—toward meaningful participation and career progression in advanced industries. As India positions itself as a global talent hub, such initiatives could play a critical role in ensuring that women are not just beneficiaries but key drivers of the country’s future workforce transformation.
