Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic and CSR arm of Infosys, has announced that it has signed a four-year MoU with the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) to enhance and transform engineering education in India. This collaboration aims to upskill educators associated with INAE and provide students with quality internships and project mentorship assigned by INAE. Infosys Foundation has committed a grant of over Rs 38 crore for this initiative to uplift the quality of training for engineering professionals and institutions.
Educators can upskill themselves through in-person and virtual support through this initiative, strengthen their technical expertise and classroom management ability, and enhance student engagement. Under this program, INAE will provide students enrolled in Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) and Bachelor of Engineering (B. E.) courses with project-based internships and year-long mentorships. INAE will also equip them with essential technical and professional skills, boosting their employability. Around 600 accomplished mentors, drawn from the top academic institutions in India, will aim to mentor over 2,000 teachers and 1,700 students.
Prof. Indranil Manna, INAE, commented on the initiative:
We thank Infosys Foundation for helping us advance our mission to raise the quality and credibility of the engineering education ecosystem in India. By bridging the gap between academia and industry through practical learning and educator development, we aim to inspire a new generation of talent and a refreshed engineering curriculum and teaching methodologies.
The Infosys Foundation, founded in 1996, supports initiatives in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The organization’s mission is to empower the impoverished and promote social equity. The Foundation takes pride in working with people from all walks of life, carefully selecting initiatives, and focusing on areas society has historically disregarded.
Sumit Virmani, Trustee, Infosys Foundation, shared about the partnership:
Our collaboration with INAE furthers Infosys Foundation’s commitment to shaping the future of education in India. By working with INAE, we aim to empower educators with the right teaching skills and provide students with real-world learning experiences through internships and meaningful guidance from mentors who will collectively contribute towards boosting the employability of the engineering workforce in India.
The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), set up in 1987, comprises India’s most outstanding engineers, engineer-scientists, and technologists who work across all engineering disciplines. It serves as the apex body, promoting the practice of engineering, technology, and allied sciences to solve national-level problems. The Academy also serves as a forum for future planning for the country’s development, which requires engineering and technology inputs, and it brings together specialists from many sectors as needed to deliver comprehensive solutions to the country’s demands.