AICTE, Meta to launch 'Creators of Metaverse' programme to empower youth become creators, innovators

NEW DELHI: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Meta have jointly introduced a new programme -- Creators of Metaverse. The programme seeks to focus on preparing India's youth for the immersive technology future.

The programme was officially unveiled at the AICTE headquarters in New Delhi on July 28, 2023, representing a significant stride in cultivating a skilled workforce in Extended Reality (XR) technologies. The initiative will be managed by One Million for One Billion (1M1B).

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The Creators of Metaverse programme aims to equip one lakh college students and 20,000 faculty members with crucial knowledge and technical expertise in Augmented Reality (AR) through the innovative Meta Spark platform.

Creators of Metaverse AICTE-Meta New Programme

The Creators of Metaverse programme, as per an AICTE statement, will provide an immersive learning experience for students to explore the world of AR and unlock their creative potential.

This gamified programme, it added, spans over ten days and encompasses a 20-hour curriculum, including instructor-led sessions, group mentoring, and project-based assignments. Students will have the privilege of working with industry-grade AR software tools and resources, bolstering their portfolios, expanding their professional networks, and gaining invaluable virtual workplace experience.

Additionally, participants will receive support to become certified Meta Spark creators through exclusive guidance from mentors for the Meta Spark Creator Exam.

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Through this dynamic initiative, AICTE and Meta reassert their commitment to empowering the future generation, positioning India at the forefront of the Metaverse revolution.

Spearheaded by the AICTE Training and Learning Bureau (TLB), the AICTE statement said, this initiative holds the potential to revolutionize India's education landscape while nurturing a spirit of innovation among the youth.

The event also showcased inspiring AR projects created by students during the program's pilot phase, underscoring its capacity to shape rewarding career paths through the captivating world of immersive technologies.

TG Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, Rajive Kumar, Member Secretary of AICTE and Ramesh Unnikrishnan, Advisor, AICTE were among the ones present during the launch of the programme. The head of Instagram policy and policy programmes, India and policy programmes manager, India, present there also reaffirming the government's commitment to promoting technological advancements in education.

Addressing the launch event, chairperson of AICTE said: “The 'Creators of Metaverse' program is a significant initiative towards preparing the youth for the jobs of the future. The partnership with Meta is a major stride towards driving innovation and skilling India's workforce for the Metaverse era.”

Conveying enthusiasm about the programme, Natasha Jog, Head of Instagram Policy & Policy Programs, India at Meta, said: “Through this program, we are excited to nurture the next generation of problem solvers, creators, and solopreneurs who will harness the power of AR to bring innovative solutions. We are committed to empowering youth to be job-ready by equipping them with the latest technological skills through a comprehensive program that covers their journey from college to the professional world.”

Meta reiterated its dedication to engage with over 10 million students and one million teachers in schools across India, focusing on digital citizenship and AR-VR education.