Lucknow witnessed a powerful coming together of policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and technology innovators as Elets Technomedia, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission and with Invest UP as the Supporting Partner, successfully hosted the National Skill and Education Summit – Uttar Pradesh at The Centrum, Lucknow. The summit served as a vibrant platform for shaping conversations around India’s evolving education and skill ecosystem and preparing the country’s youth for the rapidly transforming world of work.
Against the backdrop of India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy, the summit placed a strong spotlight on the need to align education, skills, and industry demand. The summit was graced by Pulkit Khare, Mission Director, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission, Awanish Awasthi, Advisor, Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Hari Om, Principal Secretary, Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, among others who shared their perspectives on strengthening the state’s education and skilling landscape and empowering youth with industry-relevant capabilities.
Through a series of thought-provoking keynote addresses, panel discussions, and knowledge sessions, the summit explored themes such as industry-driven curriculum, digital learning transformation, emerging workforce trends, and stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Experts emphasised the need for education systems to evolve in order to nurture critical thinking, digital fluency, and adaptability among learners in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Leaders and policymakers at the summit also shared their perspectives on strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s skill ecosystem and fostering deeper industry–academia collaboration to prepare the state’s youth for future opportunities.
Dr. Hari Om, Principal Secretary, Department of Vocational Studies & Skill Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh
“We need to embrace AI and emerging technologies while also preserving and strengthening our traditional strengths, such as agriculture. A balanced approach that combines innovation with traditional sectors will help ensure sustainable growth and long-term resilience for the economy and society.”
Pulkit Khare, Mission Director, UP Skill Development Mission
“We must focus on concrete initiatives that benefit society and make our education system future-ready, with Uttar Pradesh emerging as a frontrunner. Education and skill development must go hand in hand, with skills playing a central role in preparing youth for the evolving job market. A strong skill ecosystem will boost every sector, align talent with industry needs, and create better employment opportunities. UPSDM is focusing on skill development and making students industry-ready.”
Awanish Awasthi, Adviser, Chief Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh
“To ensure transparency and quality in skill development, a strong monitoring system should be established. A committee of around 10 retired IAS officers and experienced bankers can be appointed to regularly review and evaluate whether skill centres are functioning properly. CCTV cameras can be installed in the public areas of these centres to maintain accountability and transparency. In addition, all key information about the skill schools, such as the courses being offered, what students are learning, enrolment numbers, and graduation timelines, should be made available online, ensuring public access and better oversight of the system.”
Dr Anurag Singh, Director, GLA University
“Universities must adapt to the new education model where hybrid learning complements traditional face-to-face teaching. However, access to expensive devices makes hybrid education challenging for many learners. While AI can help identify learning gaps, issues of data privacy and security remain important concerns in smart education.”
D.K. Arjwani, Zona Head (General Manager), Central Bank of India
“We need to build a strong ecosystem where the banking system plays a crucial role in supporting growth and opportunities. Financial independence should be an integral part of education, empowering individuals to turn their skills into practical ideas. Banks and financial institutions can act as key enablers by supporting innovation, helping convert ideas into viable enterprises, and ultimately transforming skills and ideas into sustainable employment opportunities.”
Manish Kumar Vimal, NITI Aayog
“Aligning India’s skill ecosystem with the global workforce ecosystem is less about creating new policies and more about bringing existing initiatives together into a coherent system, framework, and vision. This alignment should be guided by the principle of One Nation, One Standard, supported by strong international partnerships to ensure that India’s workforce is globally competitive and industry-ready.”
Akshay Chaturvedi, Leverage Edu
“We need to celebrate entrepreneurship and recognise successful business leaders who drive innovation and create jobs. With many institutions holding surplus capital, there is an opportunity to channel these resources into future technologies. Establishing a sovereign AI fund could support innovation, startups, and the development of a strong AI ecosystem.”
Adding a dynamic dimension to the event was the expo showcase, where organisations presented innovative technologies, digital platforms, and solutions designed to transform skill development and learning delivery. The exhibition space allowed participants to experience first-hand the innovations shaping the future of education and training.
A key highlight of the summit was the launch of the latest edition of Elets’ Digital Learning magazine titled “Skilling UP for a Viksit Bharat.” The special edition brings together insights, policy perspectives, and success stories from government leaders, educationists, and industry experts, focusing on how India’s education and skill ecosystem can empower youth, strengthen employability, and contribute to the nation’s vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat.
The summit received strong support from leading organisations across the education and skill ecosystem. Central Bank of India joined as the Presenting Partner, GLA University as the Gold Partner, JSS University as the University Partner. Union Bank of India, Leverage Edu and Small Step Foundation Trust supported the event as Associate Partners, while Codetantra participated as the Exhibitor.
As the summit concluded, it reinforced a powerful message: building a future-ready workforce requires collaboration between government, industry, academia, and technology providers. By bringing these voices together on one platform, the National Skill and Education Summit Uttar Pradesh helped spark new ideas, partnerships, and strategies aimed at preparing India’s youth for the opportunities of tomorrow.
