NIIT, leading Global Talent Development Corporation, and
Asia's largest IT trainer, NIIT University, the University of the Future and
Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a world leader in 30 design, engineering and
entertainment software and services today entered into a tripartite Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) to evangelize design as a learning discipline In India.
The objective is to promote design literacy, design skilling and research &
innovation in design, given the dynamism in markets, work roles, and customer
expectations, design thinking today is being recognized as one of the essential
skills for all Industries.
Under this significant partnership, NIIT and NIIT University
will leverage design tools of Autodesk to offer a host of design programs. NIT
University will set up a design lab and launch masters programs in design to
support research and innovation. In addition, various specialized design
programs will be launched for college students in verticals such as interface
design, application design and media & entertainment design with an aim to
create a pool of skilled manpower for these specific Industries. For school students,
NIIT will introduce design literacy programs to promote design thinking. NIIT
along with Autodesk and a specially constituted Design Advisory Council, set up
under the aegis of NIIT University, will be designing the curriculum. More than
a million students will be reached in over a decade.
According to a study by Gallup, 21 t century skills should
prepare and equip youth for the challenges and demands of work in today's
knowledge-based, technology-driven, globalized environment. Just as IT helped
India gain global recognition and spurred the growth of the service sect of,
about a decade ago, "Design Thinking" can be the differentiator that
changes the economics of Indian workers and businesses and catalyzes the growth
of the knowledge sector.
As a catalyst for transformation, Design Thinking cannot be a
limited expertise. It has to permeate to a larger group. Design In India Is a
very old activity but a very young profession Fragmented students and limited
number of design experts have so far prevented a wider reach of the skill.
However, today, newer models of training delivery, such as NIIT's Cloud Campus
have the potential to enhance the reach of design experts. By entering into
this partnership with Autodesk, NIIT takes the first step towards Introducing
design thinking amongst school and college students.
Speaking on this significant partnership, Vijay Thadani,
CEO, NIIT Ltd, said, "/n line with our vision to offer career focused
training programs in the emerging areas of the knowledge society, we are delighted
to partner with Autodesk to Introduce avant-garde courses in design for
students across India. The idea is not only to open career avenues in design
but also to promote 'design thinking' amongst the youth, that our research
indicates as a key trait that today's employers' ore looking for. We
evangelized IT training in India and now three decades later, we are excited to
start o new wave of evangelizing design thinking and training in India."
George Abraham, Director of Emerging Markets, Autodesk
Education said, "We at Autodesk are committed to advancing technical
education and skill development in design education in India. With a full
portfolio of professional and personal design products, Autodesk endeavors to introduce
students at all levels to the power of design technology, thus fostering in an
early Interest so that they may develop into true design professionals.
Partnership with NIIT will further our vision to promote design education by
meeting critical gaps in talent pool with our skills and pedagogy to help
people imagine, design and create o better world.
“Dr. Rajendra Pandey, President, NIIT University said,
"We are committed to being the leading centre of Innovation and learning in
emerging areas of the knowledge society. "Design Thinking," today, is
an essential skill for o successful knowledge professional. A workforce
enriched with Design Thinking skills will help India become a world leader in
Innovation."
While the overall objective of this partnership Is to
promote design thinking in every job role, the programs will also develop
skilled manpower for the rapidly growing Computer-aided Design CAD) industry,
which is estimated to grow at CAGR of 135-percent by 2015, per a recent report
by Technavio.
About NIIT Ltd
Established in 1981, NIIT Limited, a leading Global Talent
Development Corporation and Asio's premier IT trainer, offers learning and
knowledge solutions across 40 countries. Leading IT journal Dataquest has conferred
upon NIIT the 'Top IT Training Company' award successively for the past 20
years, since the inception of this category.
NIIT's Individual Learning Business offerings include
industry endorsed programs for students seeking careers in IT - GNIIT and Edeineers,
and GloboINet+ for IT professionals. The company has introduced "India's
first cloud campus", through its new-age GNIIT program, This offers
students o higher mobility as they cart access courseware using Netbooks to
connect seamlessly to NIIT's Cloud Campus network.
NIIT's Corporate Learning Solutions offers Managed Training
Services including integrated learning solutions (strategic consulting,
learning design, content development, and delivery, technology, assessment and
learning management) to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology
companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.
NIIT Yuva Jyoti, o
joint venture between NIIT and NSDC, offers vocational skills training programs
to enhance employability of youth across India.
NIIT has provided computer-based learning to around 17,000
Government and private schools. The futuristic NIIT nGuru range of learning
solutions for schools comprises Interactive Classrooms, Math Lab, IT Wizard programs
and Quick School (Education Resource Planning software).
NIIT Imperia - Centre for Advanced Learning, offers
Executive Learning Programs in association with leading Business schools in
India, KPMG, Google India and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI),
using the synchronous learning platform.
NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (Nil-IFBI),
formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs for
individuals and corporate in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.
NIIT Institute of Process Excellence Limited, a NIIT-GENPACT
venture (NIIT Uniqua), offers complete training outsourcing services to the
Business Process, Knowledge and Technology Services industry to create business
models that enhance productivity and lower costs.
In recognition of its people centric policies, which foster
on environment of growth and career development, NI IT has been ranked 05 the Best
company to work for in India 2013-14, by Great Place to Work Institute
About Autodesk
Autodesk (Autodesk Inc) helps people imagine, design and
create a better world. Everyone-from design professionals, engineers and
architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists - uses Autodesk software
to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information
visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk
About NIIT University
Nestled in the foothills of the Aravali in Neemrana, Rajasthan,
the picturesque 100-acre fully residential green campus of the not-for-profit
NIIT University is truly, 'The University of the Future'. Established in 2009,
with o vision to bring about innovation In higher education and learning in
emerging areas of the knowledge society, NIIT University (NU) Is equipped with
state-of-the-art technology-enabled methodology that's backed by a strong research-focused
curriculum for facilitating a continuous process of learning and development.
NU has been developed as an institute of excellence to provide exceptional education
based on the four core principles that make learning industry-linked, technology-based,
research-driven and seamless. For more Information visit www.niiituniversity.in
