IIM Indore continues its journey of impactful collaborations with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that aim to contribute to the development and growth of Madhya Pradesh. The first MoU was signed with the Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment, while the second MoU was signed with the Department of Cottage and Rural Industries, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The MoU was signed by Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, and Mr. Manu Srivastava, Principal Secretary of MP Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment & the Department of Cottage and Rural Industries.
The MoU with the Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment focuses on enhancing skill development and education in the state. Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Through this MoU, we aim to bring our expertise in management education and research to empower students, faculty, and institutions.” The collaboration includes the development of one-year post-graduate certificate programmes, specialized management courses, and guidance for training and placement in state government colleges. “The partnership also explores the possibility of IIM Indore taking over a Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to provide enhanced training and mentorship”, he said.
In the second MoU with the Department of Cottage and Rural Industries, IIM Indore aims to boost the handloom and handicraft sector in Madhya Pradesh. Prof. Rai emphasized the institute’s commitment to socio-economic development, stating, “We aim to leverage our expertise to support the growth of the handloom and handicraft sector.” The collaboration involves developing detailed project reports, conducting comprehensive studies, providing guidance on Geographical Indication (GI), and offering financial literacy training to artisans and craftsmen. “The focus is on enhancing product quality, marketing strategies, branding, and sales to ensure the prosperity of producers and craftsmen”, he added.
Mr. Manu Srivastava expressed his appreciation for the collaborations and highlighted their potential impact on skill development, education, and the handloom and handicraft industry. Regarding the MoU with the Department of Technical Education, Skill Development & Employment, he emphasized its significance in enhancing the quality and relevance of technical education in the state. “IIM Indore’s support and guidance would greatly benefit institutes and colleges, providing valuable mentorship, leadership development, and managerial training”, he said. Mr. Srivastava also mentioned the various collaborative initiatives outlined in the MoU, including social internships, leadership development programmes, faculty development programmes, resource gap analysis, setting up public-private partnership projects, and managerial training for officers and employees. Talking about the MoU with the Department of Cottage and Rural Industries, he said that this partnership is a significant step towards the development and upliftment of the Cottage and Rural Industries sector in Madhya Pradesh. He appreciated IIM Indore’s knowledge and experience, noting that together, they would address challenges, identify opportunities, and implement best practices to create a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for artisans and craftsmen.
These collaborations reflect IIM Indore’s commitment to excellence and its mission of being a catalyst for positive transformation in the state. The MoUs are valid for a period of three years, during which IIM Indore and the respective departments will work closely to implement the outlined activities and explore additional collaborative opportunities for mutual benefit. These partnerships aim to create a conducive environment for skill development, education, and the growth of the handloom and handicraft sector, ultimately benefiting the youth, artisans, craftsmen, and the state’s economy as a whole.