UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development at SSPU
Why in the news
A new UNESCO Chair devoted to women’s inclusion in technical skills has been inaugurated in Pune, a first for the continent in combining gender and skills.
Key facts
- Launched by Union MoS Jayant Chaudhary at the conference Women Leading the Future of Work.
- Host: Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune.
- Head: Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor of SSPU.
- Billed as the first UNESCO Chair in Asia focusing on gender and technical skills.
- Mission: design training that tackles socio-economic barriers for women entering STEM.
Target sectors
| Sector | Note |
|---|---|
| AI and machine learning | High-growth, women underrepresented |
| Semiconductor technology | Linked to the India Semiconductor Mission |
| Robotics and advanced manufacturing | Future-ready field |
| Defence and strategic electronics | Future-ready field |
About UNESCO Chairs
- A global programme spanning over 850 institutions in 115 countries.
- Promotes inter-university cooperation and networking to build institutional capacity through shared knowledge.
Significance
- Gender inclusion paired with upskilling aims at competence in high-value roles, not just presence.
- Backs three goals: SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 8 on decent work with economic growth.
Exam angle
- Place: Pune (SSPU); leader: Swati Mujumdar.
- Related SDGs: 4, 5 and 8.