NIELIT organised the 1st International Conference on Digital Skilling

“Digital Skilling, Up-Skilling, and Re-Skilling are essential for maintaining and enhancing people’s capacities and employability to engage in the fast-changing economy,” said Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY),

The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) organised the First International Conference on Communication, Electronics, and Digital Technologies – NICE-DT 2023 and Digital Skilling on January 11, 2023.

Dr. M. Squicciarini, Director AI, SHS UNESCO, Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Director General NIELIT, Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi, and other dignitaries were present.

In his inaugural speech, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma stated, “To advance the digital economy, both the workforce of the future and the general populace (citizens) must be prepared.” He congratulated NIELIT for recording outstanding gains in the development of capacity and expertise. He continued by saying that NIELIT is working to produce skilled labour in line with the principles of the trillion-dollar digital economy through its top-notch training and skilling programs. He also emphasised increased digital connectivity to maintain a connection with this country’s last habitat. He congratulated NIELIT for having trained over 8 million candidates during the last ten years.

The dignitaries congratulated NIELIT for releasing the first International Journal of Digital Technologies and Abstract Book.

Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, the chairman of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), stressed the importance of using best practices and developing repeatable models for digital skill development and technologies. He appreciated the progress of NIELIT in skilling and capacity building ranging from certificate, diploma, UG, PG, and Doctorate levels.

“The 1st International Conference on Digital Skilling under NICE-DT23, organised by NIELIT, is expected to provide a platform and firmly lay the foundation for collaboration and knowledge sharing with stakeholders,” according to Additional Secretary, MeitY, Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar. He encouraged potential students to enrol in the Future Skills Prime courses. The G20 event being organised by MeitY in the coming days will include this NIELIT conference as one of its components as well as being the lead event of the G20.

“Understanding what we need to live, work, and thrive in the digital era to inform education, industry, labour, and skills policy is essential in achieving digital skilling for everyone,” said Dr. M. Squicciarini, Director of AI SHS UNESCO. She continued by saying that identifying the gaps is improved by an understanding of skill demand and the skills required to thrive in the digital age.

Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, the chairman of the National Board of Accreditation, said that “Leveraging technology’s beneficial effects on our lives and society requires striking an appropriate balance with it. He continued by saying that combining knowledge, technology, and skilling will provide a platform for inclusive, high-quality learning.”

The technical sessions and author presentations of research papers came after the first day’s opening session, while day two’s panel discussions covered the following topics: the Framework for Mutual Recognition of Skills; Digital Skills for All; and Advanced and Emerging Skills.

During the conference, 60 authors presented their research papers on areas such as 

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning 
• Big Data
• Data Analytics
• Cyber Security and Forensic
• Network and Mobile Security
• Advanced Computing- Cloud Computing & Quantum Computing VLSI & Semiconductors, Electronics System 
• IOT and EdgeAI
• Assistive Technology for Divyangjan (People with Disabilities) 
• Blockchain and Software Technology
• Digital Technologies for Future/ Biotechnology 
• Strategy for Digital Skilling
  

Director General, NIELIT, Dr. Madan Mohan Tripathi said that “The conference on Digital Technologies and Digital Skilling that had spread across two days has a specific emphasis on information sharing by researchers around the globe and the generation of skilled people, hence filling up the gap in trained manpower vis-à-vis industry demand in a scenario where India holds the presidency of the G20. He also acknowledged and thanked Springer for including the chosen papers from NICE-DT’23 in its “Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems” book series. In addition to demonstrating NIELIT’s core expertise in the field of capacity building and skilling, he continued, this international conference is the first version of the conference in the organization’s history.”

Also read: Skilling and Apprenticeship workshops in Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi – an initiative by the Construction Skill Development Council of India (CSDCI) https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/skilling-and-apprenticeship-workshops-an-initiative-by-the-construction-skill-development-council-of-india-csdci/

He continued by saying that the international conference will foster cooperation among those involved in digital technologies and skill development on a national and international level. The ideas shared by the distinguished speakers from India and beyond during the panel discussions will make it easier to conceptualise the plan for developing a “Global Future Ready Workforce,” helping to make India the “Skill Capital” of the world.