Odisha Partners with Edunet Foundation to Train Women Students in AI and Emerging Technologies

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has taken a step towards enhancing digital and technological skills among women students by partnering with Edunet Foundation to introduce specialised training programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Cyber Security and other emerging technologies across higher educational institutions in the state.

The initiative was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Higher Education Department and Edunet Foundation on Saturday. Supported by Microsoft, the programme seeks to equip women students with industry-oriented skills and improve their readiness for careers in technology-driven sectors.

As part of the collaboration, women students from colleges and universities across Odisha will undergo 240 hours of structured training covering Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Data Analytics, Cyber Security and related domains. The programme aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry requirements while creating a pool of skilled professionals for the digital economy.

A dedicated course titled “Career Opportunities for Women in Artificial Intelligence” will be introduced under the programme. Students will also undertake capstone projects based on real-world challenges, enabling them to gain practical exposure to emerging technologies and innovative problem-solving approaches.

Around 1,000 women students are expected to benefit from the initiative every year. In addition to technical training, the programme will facilitate internship opportunities, industry engagement and employment linkages to enhance career prospects for participants. Successful candidates will receive joint certification from Edunet Foundation and Microsoft.

Speaking on the occasion, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the partnership reflects the state government’s commitment to preparing students for future employment opportunities in rapidly evolving technological sectors. He noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises skill development, innovation and technology-enabled education.

Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal, Edunet Foundation Director Ashish Arora, Additional Secretary Prativa Sahu, Joint Secretary Mousumi Nayak and other senior officials attended the MoU signing ceremony.