Coronavirus pandemic has majorly affected the employability options for students due to the serious dent caused to the global economy. To curb this economic congestion and enhance employability options for students, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Mumbai and University of Kashmir signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 18, 2022. This CSR initiative and training will consider key aspects of literacy, employability, entrepreneurship development and student engagement programs for students in Kashmir for the next three years.

This training by TCS will include a number of programs – Adult Literacy Programme (ALP), Youth Employment Programme (YEP), BridgeIT, goIT, Ignite My Future Programme (IMF), Entrepreneurship Programme (EP) and Innovation and Skill Development Programme. These programmes will enhance youth’s all-round development to make them proficient in this digitally first economy.

The YEP aims to work upon the communication skills, digital literacy skills, analytical thinking and problem solving skills, corporate etiquettes, self-confidence and IT proficiency of youth. goIT programme allows students to develop an interest in technology through design thinking, app development and guidance from TCS employees. IMF is a trans-disciplinary programme that modifies the way students learn, with the help of computational thinking. The University of Kashmir will act as a facilitator to create links for TCS to hold its goIT and IMP initiatives.

ALP escalates the government of India’s efforts to address the challenge of educating adults through the university’s directorate of lifelong learning. Entrepreneurship Development programme motivates youth towards an entrepreneurship journey through market mobilization, skill development and mentorship. The entrepreneurship in tourism programme, under the flagship of BridgeIT initiative enables students from university’s department of tourism, hospitality and leisure studies to participate in the tourism industry in the valley and elsewhere.

This MoU is a way to help Kashmiri youth, especially the underprivileged sections of the society to keep a check on their employability concerns by skilling and upskilling. Balaji Ganapathy, Global head, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Consultancy Services said, “We strive to create digital social innovators among school children. We are delighted that the University has agreed to play the role of a facilitator to connect us with institutions at the school level.”

This collaboration between the industry and academy is a great step towards promoting skill development, placements and entrepreneurship development among the youth. Talat Ahmad, vice chancellor, University of Kashmir said, “I urge more corporates to come forward to make the youth of Kashmir realize their potential.”

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