New Delhi: To unleash the growth potential of the state of Assam, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $112 million loan to strengthen skills education and training through the establishment of the Assam Skill University (ASU).
The ADB assistance for a skill university will create pathways for skills progression and mobility and raise skills levels to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Assam’s economy and industries.
Though the state has abundant natural resources and a high proportion of young population, its economy remains dominated by low value-added, natural resource-based products and it is poorly integrated with global and regional value chains.Â
Fewer growth prospects have propelled out-migration for jobs and education, exacerbating shortages of skills in Assam. The project will improve skills and employability of youth and adults, especially women and disadvantaged groups as well as their prospect of getting higher-paying, decent jobs, according to ADB senior education specialist for South Asia Asako Maruyama.
The project will develop the capacity of the ASU faculty to support and manage entrepreneurship, applied research and development (R&D), and technology transfer and promote professional development of trainers and faculty members of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions. The project will further enhance collaboration between the ASU and TVET and higher education institutions in neighboring countries to establish programs for common strategic industries.
An additional $1 million grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction will support the introduction of technologies for smart campus management and integrated teaching, learning and career development management.
