Discussing the landscape of vocational skilling

by Janie Lee 

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) held its 5^th Partner’s Meet on 26^th-27^th June in New Delhi for its stakeholders. Government officials, vocational training organizations such as Pratham Institute, employers, and sector skill councils met to focus on the sustainability of skill development programs. Along with prioritizing sustainability, participants engaged in thoughtful dialogue about the success of having vocational skilling programs as well as the challenges that still remain.

Dr. Madhav Chavan wins 2012 WISE Prize for Education

Dr. Madhav Chavan was awarded the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Prize for Education on the 13th of November, 2012. The WISE award was launched by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in 2009 upon the initiative of Qatar Foundation Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. This annual event is an international, multi-sectoral platform for creative thinking, debate and purposeful action. WISE also raises the status of education through a growing number of year-round programs. The winner of the WISE Prize for Education is determined by a Jury of eminent individuals of global stature following a call for nominations and an initial selection by a pre-Jury of education experts.

The Laureate of the 2012 WISE Prize for Education was announced at the opening plenary session of the fourth World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, before more than 1,200 innovators from over 100 countries, including figures from the worlds of social enterprise, business, government, media and education.

Congratulating the Laureate, WISE Chairman H.E. Dr Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani said: “Madhav Chavan serves as an inspiration to all of us. His story combines the passion of a social entrepreneur with the patience and method of a scientist.  His approach shows that the most important resources for successful innovation are a clear vision, determination and the ability to apply unrecognized capacities to a shared cause. Madhav Chavan has brought light into the lives of many millions of people and I congratulate him on his remarkable achievement.”

Accepting the WISE Prize for Education, Madhav Chavan said: "Some 25 years ago I saw that new thinking was needed to improve the lives of the millions of underprivileged in my country. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to what has been achieved, and I share this tribute with them. WISE is pursuing a similar mission on a global scale, and I applaud its bold vision and inclusive approach. This Prize is a major landmark that reminds me how much more remains to be done.  It is an enormous honor for me to be recognized by this unique community of innovators, and I hope to perform my duties as a global ambassador for education to the best of my ability.”

Please click on the links below to view various articles, press releases and pictures:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20272305

http://www.media.wise-qatar.org/2012-wise-prize-for-education-awarded-to-madhav-chavan/

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/indian-awarded-top-education-prize-in-doha/1031095/

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-11-14/news/35110812_1_numeracy-indian-scholar-world-innovation-summit

WISE Coverage Report, 2012

Le Monde Report on the event

Watch the related videos at:

http://www.wise-qatar.org/content/2012-wise-prize-laureate-dr-madhav-chavan

http://www.wise-qatar.org/content/closing-plenary-session-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F9sIE15R0M

http://youtu.be/8C-kljWeKDI

http://www.skollfoundation.org/madhav-chavan-wins-education-award/

Desire to succeed

- by Aparna Achuthan

I have been working at Pratham as a part of the Placements team for the past 2 months. During this period, I have had the opportunity to interact with the students of the vocational training courses at PACE Chembur. On one of my visits, I witnessed a discussion that the students of the Beauty Care Course had with some MasterCard employees. The discussions revolved around time management, leadership qualities and entrepreneurial skills needed to run their own business.

The most important thing that struck me from the discussion was the enthusiasm and belief the young women had to become entrepreneurs. These students included young college girls and women who had children and other family responsibilities. In addition, many of them faced difficult financial and other personal problems. However, they did not see their personal responsibilities and problems as an obstacle, but rather as a motivation. Their will and desire to succeed by working hard was very strong. The need to succeed was not only to support their families but also to become independent by having a career of their own. This positive outlook towards work and life was very heartening and was an inspiration in itself.

- Aparna, who is the Regional Coordinator for Placements, describes an inspirational discussion with our students

Pratham's San Francisco Bay Area chapter raises $400K through a Gala event

- (copyrights - indiawest.com)

More than $400,000 was raised at Pratham’s San Francisco Bay Area Gala 2012, which was a sold-out event with more than 300 people attending the fundraiser at the Marriott hotel here Sept. 15, to show their support for the nonprofit that has imparted education to more than 2.6 million children in India.

“Since its inception in 1994, Pratham has evolved over the years with the support of patrons,” Madhav Chavan, president and CEO of Pratham, told India-West. “Now, we not only focus on primary school education in the slums, but also provide vocational and aid-based training, so that students can apply their education in the real world,” Chavan added. Omi Vaidya, Bollywood actor of “3 Idiots” fame, hosted the gala and delighted the audience with his anecdotes. When asked about his involvement with Pratham, he said, “I heard about Pratham from my friends at the Marathi Mandal and have always wanted to be... To read more visit - http://indiawest.com/news/6788-pratham-sf-bay-area-gala-raises-400k-for-nonprofit.html

MasterCard's community day with Pratham

MasterCard's representatives visited our vocational skilling center at Chembur, Mumbai on the 7th of Sept, 2012. As a part of their CSR initiative, they wished to celebrate their community day with our students. Their delegation included Mr. T.V.Seshadri - Division President, South Asia, MasterCard Worldwide, Ms. Aashna Roy - CSR Head, South Asia, and a few of their colleagues from the Mumbai office.

They shared inspirational industry insights with our students while mentoring and interacting with them. It was heart warming to see how engaged the MasterCard representatives were in regards to our students' everyday stories and challenges. They were deeply concerned with the real world challenges that the students face and wanted to do all that they could to help. One of the representatives even offered to counsel our students to cope with on-the-job issues that they might face after completing our courses.