Pune: The Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) on Friday launched the UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development aimed at strengthening gender inclusion in the country’s skilling ecosystem.The focus will be on expanding access to future skills for women and improving employability in emerging sectors. The chair, inaugurated by Union minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary, is designed to promote inclusive skill development models, support research, and build pathways for women, especially from underserved communities, into sectors such as robotics, semiconductor technology, advanced manufacturing and defence.The initiative will also work on policy inputs, global collaboration and training frameworks aligned with UNESCO priorities. SSPU officials said the chair will also support curriculum development, faculty exchange, and global partnerships to strengthen research and training in gender-inclusive skilling.Speaking at the launch, Chaudhary said, “This initiative will help bridge the skill gap among youths, particularly women, and create more inclusive opportunities in high-growth sectors.”State minister for women and child development Aditi Tatkare said such programmes are key to “building confidence, independence and long-term empowerment for women.”The UNESCO chair will be led by SSPU pro-chancellor Swati Mujumdar. She said, “Our focus is on creating access to future-ready skills for girls and ensuring they translate into real employment opportunities. Under this initiative, around 10,000 girls have already been trained in emerging technologies, with many securing job offers.”The launch took place during an international conference on “Women Leading the Future of Work”, organised in collaboration with UNESCO, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders and academic institutions to discuss women’s participation in new-age sectors. Themes included artificial intelligence, industry 4.0, defence technology, semiconductors and global capability centres.SSPU officials said the chair will also support curriculum development, faculty exchange, and global partnerships to strengthen research and training in gender-inclusive skilling. The university, which offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes across sectors such as data science, AI, defence technology and sustainable energy, has recently introduced specialised courses, including BTech in defence and semiconductor technology.As part of the event, the university launched initiatives such as “kushal saathi” to mentor girls in STEM and released a research compendium on skilling. It also signed memorandums of understanding with companies including Jabil and Larsen & Toubro to strengthen industry-linked training.With over 300 participants and representatives from global organisations, the conference and the launch of the UNESCO chair are expected to support structured efforts towards increasing women’s participation in the workforce through targeted skill development and industry collaboration.
