SAP India, to improve employability among Indian youth, has launched a digital literacy and software skills development initiative – “code unnati”.
The initiative is on the similar lines of central government’s Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDSA).
“code unnati” is a result of the multi-year collaboration between SAP India, ITC and Larsen and Toubro Public Charitable Trust. Under the initiative digital literacy will be imparted to the underprivileged and it will also help in driving employment-led software skills in them.
The initiative in its pilot phase will focus on rural areas in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan, Gujarat as well as urban disadvantaged demographies in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Vizag and Hyderabad.
“Only 10 percent of India’s population is digitally literate. With technology at the core of everything we do, it is our responsibility to join forces and help create a Digital India,” said Deb Deep Sengupta, President, SAP Indian Subcontinent.
The three companies will share different responsibilities under the initiative. Technology infrastructure, expertise on course curriculum and pedagogy will be provided by SAP. ITC will provide delivery mechanisms and teachers ITC while Larsen and Toubro Public Charitable Trust will help in outreaching in the far-flung, tribal and inaccessible regions. Larsen and Toubro Public Charitable Trust will also assist in adequate monitoring, evaluation and governance support.
It is expected that with its emphasis on developing advanced software skills relevant for employment, “code unnati” may bridge the gap of 3.5 million technologically skilled citizens.
“ITC’s partnership with SAP will enable the ‘code unnati’ initiative to make a deeper contribution in spreading digital education amongst children in rural Andhra Pradesh, with a special focus on the girl child,” said Ashesh Ambasta, Head of Social Investments at ITC.