About Symbiosis

Symbiosis, having a legacy of more than fifty years of excellence in education, is a leading education group in India ranked among the top ten. Symbiosis established India's pioneering skill universities, namely Symbiosis Skills & Professional University (SSPU), Pune and Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences (SUAS), Indore in 2016-17 with a mission to create skilled youth for gainful employment and entrepreneurship. Today, SSPU and SUAS train more than 10,000 students every year in various certificate, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate programs aligned with high growth sectors such as Mechatronics, Automation, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Logistics, Retail, Supply Chain, Ports, Digital Media, BFSI, Architecture, Urban Planning, Beauty, Wellness, Nutrition etc. Read More

About Conference

SSPU plans to establish UNESCO Chair in Skill Development and TVET with a special emphasis on skilling of women. One of the key activities under the Chair will be to host an annual conference to deliberate on policies and reforms in TVET sector. The first one-day conference has been organized in partnership with UNESCO and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on 25th April 2025 at Symbiosis Skills & Professional University, Pune. The conference will witness a galaxy of national and international thought leaders, policy makers, ministers, bureaucrats, and industry champions. Key takeaways will include action items on opportunities and Challenges in transforming TVET, Capacity Building, Industry Academia Partnership to foster Skill Training, and Breaking barriers for gender-inclusive TVET.

Key Takeaways

  • Industry role in enhancing TVET and training models
  • Partnership models among industry, government, academia to promote TVET
  • Initiatives toward capacity building – Teacher training & institutional capacity building
  • International practices for capacity building
  • Bringing more women in STEM training and jobs
  • Digitalization of TVET to scale up efforts
  • Entrepreneurship skills and financial literacy
  • TVET for green economy future

UNESCO and TVET: Building Skills for Inclusive Futures

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Education 2030 Agenda, UNESCO’s Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (2022–2029) aims to transform skills systems for a just transition to digital, green, and inclusive economies. The Strategy focuses on policy support, capacity development, and knowledge sharing. Flagship initiatives and tools such as the Global Skills Academy—targeting 10 million learners globally—Skills for a Resilient Youth, TVET Country Profiles, and gender-transformative approaches support partners like the National Skill Development Corporation and Symbiosis University in building inclusive, future-ready ecosystems.

Participants

500+

National & International Speakers

50+

Industry Partners

40+

Patrons

Dr. S. B. Mujumdar

President, Symbiosis

Dr. Swati Mujumdar

Pro-Chancellor, SSPU

Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari

CEO, NSDC

Conference Program

9.00 am to 10:00 am

Registration & Exhibition

10.00 am to 11.30 am

Panel Discussion I: Industry-Academia Partnerships for Inclusive Skill Development

SSPU plans to establish UNESCO Chair in Skill Development and TVET with a special emphasis on skilling of women. One of the key activities under the Chair will be to host an annual conference to deliberate on policies and reforms in the TVET sector.
Key Takeaways: Success stories of industry-integrated TVET programs, Role of digitalization in skill training & Crosssector collaborations for workforce development.

Chaired by
Dr. Swati Mujumdar

Pro Chancellor, SSPU

Panelist

Mr. Shekhar Singh

Commissioner, PCMC

Mr. Niraj Bisaria

CEO Premium Transmission Ltd.

Mr. Rakesh Baweja

Sr. Vice President, FIAT India*

Mr. Anurag Pratap

Vice President, Capgemini

Ms. Garima Dutt

President CSR, Yes Bank

Mr. Sudipta Marjit

CHRO, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd.

Ms. Maneesha Chadha

Head, Grant Programming, J. P Morgan

Ms. Bhavya Sharma

Senior Director, Urban Company

Session Moderator: Dr. Shravan Kadvekar Director SCCPL, SSPU

11:30 am to 1.25 pm

Inaugural ceremony

SSPU plans to establish UNESCO Chair in Skill Development and TVET with a special emphasis on skilling of women. One of the key activities under the Chair will be to host an annual conference to deliberate on policies and reforms in TVET sector.

Chief Guest

Shri Uday Samant

Minister of Industries, GoM

Dr. Neelam Gorhe
Guest of Honour

Dy. Chairperson, Maharashtra Legislative Council

Mr. Sonam Wangchuk
Guest of Honour

Founding Director,HIA, Ladakh

Introduction of Conference

Dr. Swati Mujumdar

Pro Chancellor, SSPU

Welcome Address

Dr. S. B. Mujumdar

President, Symbiosis
(Welcome Address)

Keynote Speakers

Mr. Shekhar Singh

Commissioner, PCMC

Ms. Manisha Verma

Addl Chief Secretary, Skill Development, GoM

Special Video Message by

Mr. Tim Curtis

Director, UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office South Asia

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Lunch

2:00 pm to 3.00 pm

Panel Discussion II: Master Class and Capacity Building in TVET Sector

SSPU plans to establish UNESCO Chair in Skill Development and TVET with a special emphasis on skilling of women. One of the key activities under the Chair will be to host an annual conference to deliberate on policies and reforms in TVET sector of skill and development.
Key Takeaways: Success stories of industry-integrated TVET programs, Role of digitalization in skill training & Crosssector collaborations for workforce development.

Master Class By
Mr. Friedrich Huebler

Head, UNESCO-UNEVOC

Panelist

Mr. Jerome Wong

Consul (Political), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Mr. Nitin Patil

Commissioner, Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, GoM

Mr. Rajesh Khambayat

Head of Department, National Institute of Technical Teachers’​ Training & Research

Dr. V. S. Mehrotra

Professor, PSSCIVE
Session Moderator

3.00 pm to 4.15 pm

Panel Discussion III: Breaking Barriers-Addressing Gender Disparities in STEM

SSPU plans to establish UNESCO Chair in Skill Development and TVET with a special emphasis on skilling of women. One of the key activities under the Chair will be to host an annual conference to deliberate on policies and reforms in TVET sector of skill and development.
Key Takeaways: Success stories of industry-integrated TVET programs, Role of digitalization in skill training & Crosssector collaborations for workforce development.

Chaired by
Mr. Jian Xi Teng

Programme Specialist (Education), UNESCO

Panelist

Dr. Ashwini Appaji

Vice Chair, WIE India Council, IEEE

Dr. Rutvi Shah

Chair, ACM India Women Committee

Ms. Shaguna Gahilote

Programme Analyst, UN Women - Online

Dr. Bhavani Rao

UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment

Ms. Pallavi Mohadikar

Co-Founder & CEO, Palmonas

Session Moderator: Maj. Sonali Kadam Director, SCDL

4.15 pm to 4.45 pm

Closing Ceremony

Mr. Huot-Marchand, Herve

UNESCO (Online)

Dr. Swati Mujumdar

Pro Chancellor, SSPU

4.50 pm

Tea

Blogs

The Future of TVET: Insights from the Upcoming International Conference at SSPU

In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, a significant shift is underway. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, the growing emphasis on sustainability, and the importance of social inclusion, workforce dynamics demand that professionals be trained through more hands-on and strategic approaches. This is where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a pivotal role.

Why the International Conference on TVET & Skill Development Matters for Education Policy

In today’s rapidly evolving world, traditional education methods and models are no longer sufficient to prepare students for real-world challenges. This is where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Skill Development come into play.

Skill Development for a Changing World: Previewing the International Conference at Symbiosis

Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), in collaboration with UNESCO and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), is set to host a landmark International Conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Skill Development. The conference, scheduled for 11:00 AM at SSPU's state-of-the-art campus, aims to reshape the global discourse around education, skills, and employability

Bridging Education and Employment: The Upcoming TVET Conference at Symbiosis

In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for new skills in the job market is constantly shifting—almost as rapidly as technological advancements themselves...

Global Experts to Converge at SSPU for TVET & Skill Development Discourse

In an age defined by rapid technological change and evolving industry demands, the role of practical, hands-on skills has become more crucial than ever. As traditional academic qualifications face increasing scrutiny, the global shift towards Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) signals a timely and necessary evolution in how we prepare individuals for the future of work.

Why the International Conference on TVET & Skill Development Matters for Education Policy

In today’s rapidly evolving world, traditional education models are no longer sufficient to prepare students for practical, real-world challenges. This is where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), along with skill development, becomes essential. These approaches equip learners with the necessary competencies to meet the demands of modern industries. As nations face growing skill gaps among their youth, the International Conference on TVET and Skill Development serves as a critical pla

Technical Education Meets Global Standards: A Preview of the TVET Conference 2025

As the world rapidly evolves through digital transformation and industrial innovation, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) must rise to meet the growing global demand for skilled professionals. The TVET Conference 2025 is poised to be a landmark event, bringing together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape the future of technical education in alignment with international standards.

Transforming Workforce Development: What to Expect at the International TVET Conference

Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) is set to host the International Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Skill Development Conference in partnership with UNESCO and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on 25th April 2025, at its campus in Pune. This prestigious event brings together educators, policymakers, and industry leaders, serving as a pivotal global platform to explore innovative strategies and foster inclusive economic growth by reshaping workforce development.

UNESCO and NSDC Partner with Symbiosis for Ground-breaking Skill Development Conference

UNESCO and NSDC Partner with Symbiosis for Ground-breaking Skill Development Conference In a significant stride towards enhancing skill development in India, UNESCO and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have joined hands with Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) to host a pioneering Skill Development Conference on April 25, 2025...

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