UNESCO chair on gender inclusion, skill development launched at SSPU Pune conference

Union Minister of State (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship, as well as Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary on Friday, April 24, 2026 launched the UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development. The initiative was introduced during the international conference on “women leading the future of work,” organised in collaboration with UNESCO at symbiosis skills and professional university in Pune.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Aditi Tatkare, Minister for women and child development in Maharashtra, and Monica Nagelgaard, consul general of Norway. Dr. Swati Mujumdar, pro-chancellor of SSPU, was also present at the launch.

Speaking at the event, Chaudhary highlighted the importance of inclusive growth, saying the initiative is aimed at ensuring women have a stronger presence in sectors that are shaping the future.

UNESCO chair focuses on inclusive skill development

Emphasising the broader vision behind the initiative, Jayant Chaudhary said, “India’s growth trajectory will be defined not only by scale but by how inclusively we empower our people. Initiatives like this UNESCO Chair ensure that women are at the forefront of emerging sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and new-age technologies.”

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He added, “When skilling is aligned with industry demand and grounded in equity, it becomes a powerful driver of both economic progress and social transformation.” According to him, such initiatives can open up more opportunities for women in fast-growing industries.

Conference highlights women’s role in future workforce

At the conference, Aditi Tatkare welcomed the initiative and said it could play a key role in reaching women from underserved communities. She pointed out that programmes like these help build confidence, promote independence, and create pathways to meaningful employment.

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, global organisations, and academics to discuss how women’s participation in future job roles can be strengthened. Discussions focused on emerging sectors such as defence technology, robotics, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and global capability centres.

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More than 40 industry experts took part as speakers and panellists, sharing their insights on workforce transformation. Among the international participants were Mary Overington, trade and investment commissioner (South Asia), Gabriel Bordado from the international labour organization, Soledad Patiño from UNESCO global skills academy in Paris, and Priscilla Wanjiku Gatonye from UNESCO-UNEVOC in Germany, along with several other national and global representatives.