India, Russia to increase cooperation in skill development

India and Russia have agreed to increase cooperation in the area of skill development at the ongoing World Skills Abu Dhabi (WSAD) event in the UAE, industry chamber Ficci said on Tuesday.

"Ficci facilitated several key meetings between National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the Skill Development Ministry, Russia and the World Skills team to increase India's participation in various skill competitions in Russia," the industry chamber said in a release here.

"Deliberations led to agreement for enhanced cooperation between India and Russia in World Skills."

"Ficci also held high power meetings which resulted in several collaborations, partnership formations through signing of MoUs in skill development space," it added.

Ficci is leading a 30-member Indian delegation from states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and industry leaders that is taking part in 26 disciplines at the biennial international skills event in Abu Dhabi.

For the event this year, the Indian contingent has been chosen as part of the significant three countries along with the UAE and the Netherlands, according to a statement earlier by the Indian consulate in Dubai.

India's Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Suri inaugurated the India Pavilion on Sunday, at the start of the four-day event.

This year's event is the 44th World Skills Competition in which competitors from 77-member countries and regions are participating in 51 skill categories.

NSDC is the nodal agency for WSAD 2017 and has been leading the Indian participation at World Skills International Competitions since 2011.

Industry chambers Ficci and CII, along with other partners, have been given the responsibility of promoting skills in beauty therapy, mechatronics, cabin making and welding.

India joined the World Skills International Organisation as its 48th member, the consulate said.

--IANS

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