IIT Hyderabad’s New Skill Development Centre: Empowering Rural Youth Through Innovation and Industry-Ready Training

In a significant step towards rural empowerment, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has inaugurated the NBV Skilling Centre, a new Skill Development Centre aimed at equipping rural and semi-urban youth with essential skills for the modern workforce. This initiative is a collaboration between IITH, Next Bharat Ventures, and the Deshpande Foundation, and it seeks to provide holistic training that combines both soft and technical skills.

The Vision Behind the Initiative

The NBV Skilling Centre is part of IITH’s Rural Development Centre (RDC), which was established in 2020 with the vision of supporting rural development through innovative technologies. The centre aims to empower young individuals by enhancing their confidence, creativity, and capabilities, thus preparing them for opportunities in India’s evolving economy.

Collaboration for a Greater Cause

This initiative represents a powerful partnership among three key organizations:

• IIT Hyderabad: A premier institution dedicated to advancing technology and education.
• Next Bharat Ventures: An initiative of Suzuki Motor Corporation that focuses on mentoring early-stage entrepreneurs.
• The Deshpande Foundation: A well-known organization recognized for its social innovation and livelihood programs.

Together, they have established the Next Bharat Skilling Foundation (NBSF), which aims to create a national model for skilling that integrates education, employability, and entrepreneurship.

Holistic Skill Development Programs

The NBV Skilling Centre will serve as a hub for comprehensive skill development, offering programs that encompass:

• Soft Skills Training: Programs designed to enhance communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
• Technical Skills Training: Hands-on learning experiences that provide exposure to real-world technologies and innovation challenges.
• Entrepreneurship Development: Initiatives aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among participants.

These programs are tailored to not only teach participants vital skills but also to prepare them for industry-relevant opportunities, fostering a generation ready to innovate from the grassroots level.

Impact Goals

The Next Bharat Skilling Foundation has set ambitious goals for its initiatives, aiming to:

• Train over 50,000 youth by 2035.
• Impact a significant number of school students through its flagship programs, including SkillPlus (for rural graduates) and Skill in Village (SiV) for schoolchildren.
• Provide technical skilling for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Leadership and Support

Inaugurating the centre, Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, emphasized the importance of moving skill-building beyond traditional classroom settings. He stated, “The new Skill Development Centre takes this vision forward — empowering India’s youth through education, innovation, and real-world skill building.”

Dr. Satish Regonda, Chairperson of the RDC, added that the centre strengthens the ongoing efforts of the RDC across its core themes of Education, Environment, and Entrepreneurship, making rural regions a breeding ground for innovation and empowerment.

Industry Support and Collaboration

The initiative has garnered support from various industry leaders, including Mr. Kinji Saito, Director of Next Bharat Ventures, who highlighted the partnership’s role in empowering youth with practical skills. Mr. Ranga Rao Nutakki, Chairman of Sai Deepa Rock Drills Pvt. Ltd., also expressed his commitment to supporting this mission, emphasizing the need for a skilled talent pool to enhance productivity in the MSME sector.

Conclusion

The launch of the NBV Skilling Centre marks a pivotal moment in IIT Hyderabad’s commitment to “Inventing and Innovating in Technology for Humanity.” By creating bridges that connect knowledge to livelihoods and innovation to inclusion, this initiative is set to play a crucial role in transforming the lives of rural and semi-urban youth across India.

Note: This article is based on information available as of November 2025.