Swarnim University and CSRBOX Foundation Ink Strategic Partnership to Enhance Digital Skill Development

AHMEDABAD,GUJARAT : Swarnim Startup and Innovation University based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and CSRBOX Foundation, headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, have entered into a strategic partnership to advance digital skill development among students through the IBM SkillsBuild for Academia platform. This collaboration, effective May 28, 2024, aims to equip students with industry-specific skills that are relevant and will improve their employability prospects in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

A Letter of Understanding (LoU) has been signed between the two institutions. As part of the collaboration, CSR Box – a designated IBM SkillsBuild Country Partner, will onboard Swarnim Startup and Innovation University as an official partner for the IBM SkillsBuild for Academia platform. The initiative will leverage the university’s diverse student body and comprehensive infrastructure to deliver a robust curriculum designed to meet the demands of the modern job market.

Elaborating more about the initiative, Mr. Tushar Sharma, Associate Manager, CSR Programs, IBM SkillsBuild said, “The IBM SkillsBuild Country Partner offers a wide range of learning opportunities, including IBM-certified badges and access to employment resources, all available at no cost to users. The programme allows and encourages learners, educators, and researchers at degree granting accredited academic institutions to leverage IBM tools, courses, and other resources in the classroom.”

So far, at least 9 lakh student users, 12,000 faculty users from across 10,000 academic institutions have participated in the programme across the globe. The MoU will also entail hosting showcase events and competitions to highlight student projects and innovations.

Under the terms of the LoU, the two organisations will work towards providing students with access to IBM’s cutting-edge digital learning resources. “As part of this collaboration, we aim at facilitating masterclasses by industry experts on emerging technologies and industry trends and organising training sessions led by IBM professionals. The programme will help students undertake projects and assignments wherein they can apply their theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios,” said Mr. Adi Jain, the Vice President, Swarrnim Startup and Innovation University.

In this collaboration, CSRBOX Foundation will ensure the provision of the IBM SkillsBuild platform, including necessary licenses and permissions. Additionally, the foundation will also facilitate training sessions for faculty and students and coordinate various engagement activities.