Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri George Kurian, launched a skill training and women entrepreneurship development project under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Kottayam today.

The launch event was attended by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary (Minority Affairs), Prof. Dr. Prasad Krishna, Director (IIIT Kottayam), officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam, faculty members, students, and PM VIKAS aspirants.

During the event, a MoU was signed between Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT, Kottayam for the training of 450 candidates from minority communities at IIIT Kottayam, wherein 150 youth will be trained in Internet of Things (IoT) and 300 women will be trained in leadership and entrepreneurship development. The training cost would be entirely borne by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and IIIT Kottayam would be the implementing institution for this project. The candidates would receive stipend during the training and will be assisted for employment and self-employment opportunities.

During his address, the Minister of State highlighted the benefits of the PM VIKAS scheme towards the socio-economic empowerment of minority communities through skilling and entrepreneurship development, thereby enhancing employability and supporting development of enterprises. During the event, he also interacted with students from the area in order to better understand their aspirations.

It is envisaged that the implementation of this project at IIIT Kottayam, an Institute of national importance renowned for its focus on technology, innovation and incubation, will give a fillip to capacity building and skill development among the minority communities in Kerala.

***

SS/ISA

(Release ID: 2145575)