TechSaksham: SAP India and Microsoft’s tech initiative for women launched

A skilling programme to empower young women from underserved communities has been rolled out by SAP India and Microsoft. The two tech giants are partners in this initiative, named ‘TechSaksham’, which will enable participants to build prosperous careers in technology.

As the world makes quantum leaps in terms of technology, the neglected and underserved communities are in danger of being left behind. For women, the risk is even greater as they face insurmountable odds. To offset this disparity, SAP India and Microsoft joined hands to create TechSaksham, which will benefit between 60,000-75,000 young women. A further 1,000 skilled women will be provided with internships, jobs and even micro-entrepreneurship opportunities by the end of the first year.

SAP India and Microsoft to skill 62,000 women

Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, web design and digital marketing are some of the skills the initiative will impart to the women students. The programme is also slated to partner with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and state education departments to train 1,500 teachers for the initiative. During the very first year of implementation, the initiative will train 1,500 teachers, with each trained faculty capable of supporting 50 students. This is equivalent to at least 60,000-75,000 students reaping the benefits of TechSaksham.

The programme’s core curriculum centres on technology and its applications, along with activity-based training and practical engagement. Expert mentors will oversee the practical aspect of the classes to ensure that every student is fully certified to be employed on graduation. Designed to be a Pan-India initiative, TechSaksham will be implemented by Edunet Foundation. The first year of implementation will also aim to establish nodal centres, which will then act as centres through which further outreach programmes can be initiated to rural and regional institutions and communities.

“Our partnership with Microsoft is an expansion of this vision where we focus on equipping the young women of our country with skills in emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing empowering them to be a part of the future-ready workforce. Through this initiative, we aim to build an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace of tomorrow.” – Kulmeet Bawa, President & Managing Director, SAP Indian Continent

Microsoft India also echoed the same sentiments. Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, stressed the need to empower women by creating a skilling ecosystem that will close the digital skills gap. “In addition, we are working closely with the government and industry partners like NASSCOM and National Skill Development Council (NSDC) on several skilling initiatives that contribute to creating a vibrant skilling ecosystem in India,” he concluded.

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