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NEW DELHI: In a major step toward inclusive technological empowerment, the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Delhi, has successfully trained more than 50,000 Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across India under its flagship NURTURE program.
Launched in July 2023 in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, the NURTURE initiative aims to equip SC/ST students with future-ready skills in cutting-edge technologies, bridging opportunity gaps and fostering innovation-led growth from the grassroots, IIT-Delhi said in a statement on Thursday.
Over the past 13 months, the program has expanded to over 600 educational institutions nationwide, offering hands-on, immersive training in high-demand domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Drone Technology, and Medical Technology, it said.
Empowering Through Technology
“The NURTURE Program reflects our commitment to democratizing access to technology education,” said Dr. Ekta Kapoor, Mission Director at DST. “By focusing on inclusivity, innovation, and employability, we are cultivating a new generation of confident, capable change makers across all strata.”
With more than 20 academic and industry collaborators, NURTURE is designed to deliver world-class content and mentorship, culminating in certification for every participant — a boost to their employability in the competitive tech landscape.
Focus on Gender Inclusivity
The initiative has also placed a strong emphasis on gender inclusion, reaching over 20,000 girl students and approximately 30,000 boys. This was made possible through collaborations with organizations focused on girls’ education and STEM empowerment.
A Scalable Vision for Impact
“When IHFC got the opportunity to scale NURTURE across India, we were thrilled,” said Prof. S.K. Saha, Project Director, IHFC. “It aligned perfectly with our vision of making deep-tech learning and STEM education accessible at every level, ensuring that India becomes STEM-equipped from the grassroots to the top.”
Looking ahead, IHFC is committed to expanding the program’s reach further and strengthening its ecosystem of academic and corporate partners, reinforcing the government’s vision of a digitally empowered and inclusive India, it added.
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