Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary inaugurates NSDC-PDEU centre of excellence in Gandhinagar offering 40 skill-based courses

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) jointly established by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Monday.

The new centre will offer over 40 online and hybrid courses focused on emerging sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, renewable and non-renewable energy, smart manufacturing, and digital technologies. These programs are designed to equip students from ITI, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate streams with niche technical skills, helping bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Chaudhary emphasized the transformative role of universities, stating, “Universities must become engines of innovation, not just to serve the market but to advance national growth. Gujarat has shown remarkable leadership in reshaping its higher education landscape, and this new centre strengthens that vision.”

The CoE is equipped with advanced manufacturing labs and will serve as a hub for hands-on training, research and development (R&D), and real-time industry engagement in sectors such as embedded systems, VLSI design, and smart energy solutions. The initiative aligns with the national priorities of sustainable development, energy security, and job readiness.

A Memorandum of Association (MoA) was signed earlier this month between NSDC and PDEU. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration, noting, “This partnership strengthens the skilling ecosystem with a focus on smart manufacturing and semiconductors. Our aim is to make India’s youth globally competitive through world-class training and international certifications.”

PDEU’s Director General, S. Sundar Manoharan, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed to Gujarat’s strategic investments in semiconductor technology and renewable energy as key drivers of India’s innovation leadership.

The NSDC will oversee the centre’s operational framework and monitor the delivery of training programs to ensure quality and relevance. PDEU will contribute with its industry-grade facilities, including a 45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line and an ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line.

The Centre is expected to play a vital role in preparing India’s youth to become “Energy Ambassadors for the Nation” and global leaders in emerging technologies.