The programme also known as CB2Women will train women workforce in latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data science and Big Data, Cyber Security with Digital Forensics which will help them get required skills and gain an entry into a technical profession after a career break.

The programme was launched by IIT-M in association with Digital Skills Academy. As many as 150 hours of training will be offered to skill the women on their journey back to their careers. Women (candidates) will get a choice to opt for any level as certificates will be issued for each level.

However, in the IT field, the technology changes are so rapid that they are unable to get back to their careers as their skills are probably outdated. Despite this, their industry experience and knowledge about IT are immense and can be useful to many IT companies if they can fit into current requirements immediately.

IIT Madras is happy to pioneer this programme from Digital Skills Academy at IIT Madras, to help them get back to work and retrieve their careers, he said.

The course is being offered with faculty from IIT Madras, Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing Kancheepuram, Industry experts from GITAA and GUVI, IIT Madras incubated startups and Forensic Intelligence Surveillance and Security Technologies (FISST).

Women professionals
However, in the new and emerging technologies, where job growth is going to be faster, the percentage of women is currently lower. For example, while India has the second largest Artificial Intelligence workforce in the world and only 22 per cent of them are women.

Correcting this imbalance needs multiple interventions, such as a collaboration between government, industry and academia and active engagement with young women throughout their education and into their working lives.

CB2W from IIT Madras Digital Skills Academy is a progressive step that would help in getting more women into STEM occupations and I look forward to the positive impact this will make in the years to come, he said.

Digital Skills Academy also plans to offer more courses at various levels for students and working professionals in association with NASSCOM and in partnership with training companies incubated at IIT Madras Research Park and industry partners.

Women professionals

C. Mohan Ram, Chief Mission Integrator and Innovator, FISST, said all participants will take ‘Back To Technical Track (BTCUBE),’ which is a 20 hour programme that will bring them up-to-date on technologies and demystifies latest jargons.

At the end of this program they will have a choice to select a specialization. There are four tracks offered initially. Track 1 – Data Science and Big Data, Track 2 – Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Track 3 – Cyber Security with Digital Forensics, Track 4 – Software Engineering with Programming in Python with MongoDB. Each track has a Basic (40 hours) and Advanced modules (90 hours), he said.

The award was presented to IIT Jodhpur at the CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property, and Industry-Academia Partnership held on 12 December 2024.

This is the first time the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is presenting the Industry-Academia Partnership Awards.

In this first version of awards, IIT Jodhpur was honoured with the prestigious Grand Jury Award in the Government Institute Category.

Jury

The award was presented by the jury consisting Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, former Director General of CSIR and Mr. Vipin Sondhi, Chairman of the CII National Mission on Technology, Innovation & Research.

The award was presented to IIT Jodhpur in the presence of industry stalwarts, academic luminaries, and policy leaders from across the nation.

Accepting the award on behalf of the institute were Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, and Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, Adviser to the Director.

This achievement reflects the institute’s steadfast dedication to innovation, cutting-edge research, and impactful partnerships that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Director of IIT Jodhpur

On this occasion, after receiving the award, Prof. Avinash K. Agarwal, Director, IIT Jodhpur said the award is a celebration of the collective effort of our faculty, staff, and students.

They have tirelessly worked toward building bridges between academia and industry, said IIT Jodhpur director.

We are humbled and inspired to continue our mission of excellence, he said.

Accomplishments

IIT Jodhpur’s remarkable accomplishments are a testament to the collaborative spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by its faculty, staff, and students.

Through groundbreaking initiatives, the institute has championed innovative research, technology development, and skill-building programs, establishing itself as a beacon of progress in India’s educational ecosystem.

Its focus on fostering intellectual property creation and translating research into real-world solutions has set a benchmark for others to follow, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.

Collaboration

Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, Advisor to the Director, IIT Jodhpur said our success is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for societal impact.

This recognition fuels our determination to achieve even greater heights, he said.

Strength

Under the visionary leadership of Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal and the strategic guidance of Professor Sampat Raj Vadera, IITJ has not only strengthened its industry ties but also paved the way for pioneering contributions to national growth.

Their presence at the summit underscored IITJ’s role as a leader in redefining how institutes of higher learning collaborate with industry partners to address critical societal challenges.

Efforts

The institution likes to acknowledge the efforts of Professor Kaushal A. Desai, Dean of Resource and Alumni, IITJ, and his team for their contributions to this initiative.

The Office of Corporate Relations and the Office of Research and Development initiated the application process for this prestigious award.

It highlights the institute’s pivotal role in driving India’s progress and its commitment to creating a sustainable, knowledge-driven future, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.

About IIT Jodhpur

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur was established in 2008, to foster technology education and research in India.

The Institute is committed to technological thought and action to benefit the economic development of India.

Scholarship in teaching and learning; Scholarship in research and creative accomplishments; and relevance to Industry are three driving forces at IIT Jodhpur.

IIT Jodhpur functions from its sprawling residential Permanent Campus of 852 acres on National Highway 65, north-northwest of Jodhpur towards Nagaur.

The campus is meticulously planned and envisioned to stand as a symbol of academics – simple, but deep.

The Institute is committed to multidisciplinary approach of technology development. It has established state-of-the-art laboratories for basic research, and has organised its academic degree activities through Departments and its coordinated research through Centers for Technologies.

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