Symbiosis Launches Asia’s First UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion & Skill Development

The Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune has launched Asia’s first UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development, in collaboration with UNESCO. The initiative aims to promote gender equality in skill development, focusing on increasing women’s participation in emerging sectors like AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

Key Highlights:

First UNESCO Chair of its kind in Asia focusing on gender inclusion.

Launched at the international conference “Women Leading the Future of Work”.

Inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary.

Hosted at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University.

Focus areas include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Robotics & Automation

Semiconductor Technology

Advanced Manufacturing & Defence

Aims to bridge the education–skill–employment gap for women.

About UNESCO Chair Programme:

Initiated by UNESCO in 1992

Promotes international academic cooperation and knowledge sharing

Universities act as centres of excellence in specific thematic areas

Objective of This Chair:

Promote gender equality in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Enhance women’s participation in STEM and future job sectors

Provide:

Policy inputs

Research & curriculum development

Global collaboration frameworks

Linkages with Government Policies:

Skill India Mission (2015) – Launched to train 40 crore people by 2022, aiming to boost employability through large-scale skill development.

National Education Policy 2020 – Targets 50% learners exposure to vocational education by 2025, integrating skills into mainstream education.

Digital India & Make in India – Promote digital infrastructure and manufacturing growth, creating demand for future-ready skills in AI, robotics, and advanced technologies.

Global & Developmental Linkages:

Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 4 – Quality Education

SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Importance of Gender Inclusion in Skilling:

Women are underrepresented in high-growth sectors like AI and manufacturing

Enhances: Workforce participation, Economic growth, Innovation capacity