SDI Bhubaneswar's Mother Tongue Skill Development Model
For the first time in the country, the Skill Development Institute (SDI) in Bhubaneswar is providing skill development courses in the mother tongue. The SDI is modelled after prestigious institutions such as the IITs and IIMs, and its skill development model has become very popular in states such as Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Officials from the skill development departments of these states have visited the campus to learn more about the courses and the training of teachers, with the aim of implementing this model in their own states.
According to a senior official from the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, there are currently six SDIs in the country, and the SDI in Bhubaneswar is the first international-standard multi-skilling institute in India with its own campus. Indian Oil provided Rs. 400 crore for the construction of the approximately 47-acre campus. The SDI offers different skill development courses for individuals with 10th, 12th, ITI, engineering, and computer degrees.
The campus has 800 beds in the boys' hostel and 400 beds in the girls' hostel. The SDI will collaborate with IIT Bhubaneswar to provide joint courses in Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Machine Learning, and Future Skills. The objective is to provide common students who come to the SDI with the opportunity to learn from experts from IITs and advance their skills. These courses will carry the names of both institutions.
Focus on female Students: Free Stay and Food
Female students are a particular focus at the SDI. The senior official states that the number of girls in the skill development centre is still very low, so efforts are being made to involve more girls in skill development, similar to what is done at IIT. Therefore, the CRM Associate and CRM Domestic courses have been introduced exclusively for girl students at very low fees. The institute offers more than ten basic development and finishing school courses for jobs in the industry. These courses have an 80% practical and 20% written examination component. Course fees range from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 30000. After obtaining admission to the campus, students are required to pay only the course fee. Accommodation and food are free.
The SDI Bhubaneswar skill model is being admired by other states. Skill development officers from other states, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, have visited the campus to learn about the model. They are planning to adopt the SDI Bhubaneswar model in the skill development centres of their respective states. For this purpose, they also wish to have their teachers receive special training at the SDI Bhubaneswar. Other states are also showing interest in joining this initiative.
The SDI Bhubaneswar, the country's largest skill development centre modelled on the IITs and IIMs, aims to provide students with the opportunity to study and take exams in 22 Indian languages as per the National Education Policy (NEP). Presently, education is being conducted in Odia, in addition to English and Hindi. However, the medium of examination and evaluation is currently English, which will be linked to all mother tongues in the future under the guidelines of Skill India. Joint courses with IIT Bhubaneswar will also be started.
Rajesh Tripathy, Chief Operating Officer, SDI.
