NSDC and PDEU Join Forces to Launch Centre of Excellence for Skill Development in Semiconductors and Energy

 New Delhi, India – April 5, 2025 : In a groundbreaking collaboration, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) have partnered to launch a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) aimed at equipping India’s youth with industry-ready skills in high-demand sectors such as semiconductors, energy, and smart manufacturing. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Startup Mahakumbh event in New Delhi.

The new CoE will focus on providing specialized training in emerging technologies including VLSI Design, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Data Science, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain, among others. Offering over 40 online and hybrid courses for students across ITI, Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, the initiative aims to integrate vocational education and skill development into mainstream academia in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Skill India Mission.

Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO of NSDC and MD of NSDC International, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “This partnership with PDEU strengthens the skilling ecosystem, particularly in the energy sector. Our joint efforts will support infrastructure development in smart manufacturing and create Centres of Excellence focused on automotive, EV charging, renewable energy, and semiconductors, providing invaluable practical exposure to students.”

Dr. S. Sundar Manoharan, Director General of PDEU, expressed pride in the collaboration, highlighting PDEU’s ongoing transformation into a hub for advanced skill training. “With NSDC’s support, we have enhanced our infrastructure to offer cutting-edge training in high-demand sectors like renewable energy and semiconductors. Our ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Centre is already equipping students with the skills needed for critical back-end packaging and encapsulation processes.”

PDEU’s impressive infrastructure includes a 45 MW Solar PV Manufacturing Line and an ATMP Semiconductor Packaging Line, bridging the gap between academia and industry. These initiatives foster innovation in renewable energy technologies and provide students with hands-on experience, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation.

The collaboration will integrate up to 225 hours of experiential learning into academic credits through the National Credit Framework, marking a significant shift in how industry and academia align to meet the skills needs of the future.

This Centre of Excellence will serve as a hub for training students nationwide, particularly from Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 institutions, and will contribute to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Quality Education (SDG-4), Affordable & Clean Energy (SDG-7), Climate Action (SDG-13), and Partnerships for Goals (SDG-17).

A new Section 8 company, jointly owned by PDEU and NSDC Trust, will manage the CoE, ensuring sustainability and generating revenue through course fees while supporting national initiatives like Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This partnership will contribute significantly to India’s socio-economic development, preparing students for India’s growing demand for skilled talent as it becomes the largest working-age population globally by 2030.

This strategic alliance between NSDC and PDEU is set to transform the skill development landscape, equipping India’s youth with the tools to thrive in an ever-evolving job market.