Microsoft, SAP to train 62,000 young women in emerging tech

The initiative will skill over 62,000 young women in these emerging technologies and about 1,000 skilled women will be supported with jobs, internships, and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities

Hyderabad: With an aim to train young women from underserved backgrounds in areas of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, web design, and digital marketing, Microsoft and SAP India have launched a new programme.

The TechSaksham initiative will skill over 62,000 young women in these emerging technologies and about 1,000 skilled women will be supported with jobs, internships, and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities by the end of the first year. The programme will collaborate with state collegiate education departments and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to train 1,500 teachers.

---

In the first year of implementation, the initiative will train 1,500 teachers and each faculty trained will be equipped to support over 50 students in one year, impacting 60,000 – 75,000 students. A collaborative, pan-India initiative, this programme will be implemented by Edunet Foundation, who will develop future-ready skills in young women graduating in sciences, engineering, computer applications, and vocational studies. The programme offers a core curriculum to understand the application of technology and activity-based engagements to implement the skills under expert mentors, ensuring job readiness.

Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, chairman, AICTE, said, “TechSaksham, an initiative of SAP India and Microsoft in association with AICTE ATAL will transform the landscape of workplaces. More than 60,000 women being trained will create a massive impact. Moreover, with more than 1,000 women faculty certified, it will bring big ticket changes not only in employability of graduates but will encourage many more students to start their startup journey.”

Kulmeet Bawa, president and managing director, SAP Indian Subcontinent, said, “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.”