Assam signs MoUs with Singapore for skilling state's youth

Assam government today signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and Terms of Reference (ToR) with Singapore for skilling youth of the state.
The MoU and ToR for North East Skills Centre (NESC) was signed between Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, of Assam government and ITE Education Service, Singapore in the presence of Foreign Affairs Minister of Singapore Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal here.
An MoU for Guwahati City Greening was inked between the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority and Singapore Corporation Enterprise.
The Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister termed the occasion as the beginning of a lasting friendship which would be beneficial for both Assam and Singapore.

"Assam is a beautiful land with hills and mountains which are full of greenery. This land is strategically located and has huge potential. We are mandated by the Prime Ministers of both the countries to work for mutual growth", Balakrishnan said.
He further mentioned, "As the economy in the world is rapidly transforming, it is important to provide jobs and skills to our youth. Singapore is partnering with Assam to train the trainers to amplify the impact of the training centre".

Taking part in the signing ceremony of MoUs and ToR, Sonowal expressed the hope that the signing of MoUs between Governments of Assam and Singapore would open new vistas for the youth and requested the Singapore Government to join hands for more such collaborations in future.

Sonowal said Assam Government aims to create a workforce empowered with upgraded skills, knowledge and internationally recognised qualifications to gain access to employment and ensure India's competitiveness in the dynamic global market with support from Singapore Government.
Informing that the state government will provide skill development training to 78,500 poor rural youths during 2016-19 under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDUJKY), Sonowal expressed the view that the partnership with Singapore would greatly boost the initiative.
"As the state aspires to become the new engine of growth for the country through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy, I am glad to acknowledge Singapore's cooperation towards achieving this goal by skilling our youth through Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system to usher in a period of rapid socio-economic development by sharing knowledge and building capacity", he said.

The NESC will train up to a total of 400 students each year who would contribute towards generating a skilled human resource pool, the chief minister added.
Sonowal further stated the state government has initiated an innovative project for beautification of Guwahati city and improvement of quality of life of its inhabitants through a Project called 'Guwahati Open Space and Park Integrator (GOPI) Network'.
"Guwahati has a large number of water bodies, open spaces, parks which can be holistically developed as one large potential area for green space.
This unique project is sought to be designed and developed on the model of "Park Connector Network" being implemented by National Park Authority in Singapore", he said.

Highlighting the immense natural resources of the state and its tourism potential, Sonowal sought Singapore government's cooperation for showcasing it to global audience.