Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji virtually inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Kanpur, an institute mentored by IIT Kanpur at National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur. The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Member of Parliament Shri Satyadev Pachauri, Member of Legislative Assembly, UP, Shri Surendra Maithani; General Manager of HAL Kanpur, Shri Ajay Kumar Shrivastava; Principal Secretary Vocational Education and Skill Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri M. Devraj, IAS; Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Mr. J. D. Masilamani; along with a representative of Dassault Aviation, and faculty members of IIT Kanpur.

To train and upskill the youth in emerging technologies, IIT Kanpur and IIS Kanpur entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in November 2023, wherein IIT Kanpur agreed to mentor IIS for the next five years. The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

IIT Kanpur's role includes mentoring the development of laboratory infrastructure at IIS Kanpur, designing a suitable course curriculum based on the laboratory system, aiding in the recruitment process of faculty members and technical experts, offering joint certificate and diploma courses approved by both institutes and establishing the Centre for Deep Skill Training and Research (CDSTAR) at IIT Kanpur to complement the training at IIS Kanpur.

To further enhance experiential learning and create a fusion of skill and knowledge between the students of IIS and IITK, there will be at least six Deep-skill laboratories housed at the Centre for Deep Skill Training and Research at IIT Kanpur. It will include Noise and Vibration Lab, Advanced Control Systems Lab, Advanced Robotics Lab, Semiconductor Packaging Lab, Medical Imaging Lab, and Drug and Pharma Lab. IIT Kanpur will integrate the skilled professionals from IIS to the entrepreneurship ecosystem at the SIIC and Technology Park of IIT Kanpur.

Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “It is a matter of pride for IIT Kanpur to be associated with IIS Kanpur as a mentor. Inaugurated by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji with the collective vision of nurturing excellence in skill development, the Institute will chalk a new path to Viksit Bharat. As a mentor institution, we are committed to providing consistent direction and support to IIS Kanpur, facilitating the development of a professional workforce capable of driving India's advancement and innovation on a global scale.”

On the occasion, Mr. J. D. Masilamani, Regional Director, Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, UP, said, “This marks a major milestone in our journey towards encouraging skill development and entrepreneurship in India. Through the mentorship of esteemed institutions like IIT Kanpur, I believe we can empower individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of industry and innovation. This partnership represents the synergy between academia, industry, and government, laying the foundation for a skilled and prosperous nation."

Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, HAL Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering will lead the team from IIT Kanpur as Professor-in-Charge, along with a core team consisting Dr. Abhilash Patel, and Dr. Soumya Ranjan Sahoo from Department of Electrical Engineering; and Dr. Keval S Ramani, Dr. Virkeshwar from Department of Mechanical Engineering as co-coordinators. Subsequently, more faculty members from IIT Kanpur will join this endeavour.

Prof. Bishakh Bhattacharya, HAL Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur said, “It is an immense honour to lead our team in shaping the vision of the Indian Institute of Skills Kanpur. Together, we aim to empower individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.”

The foundation stone for IIS, Kanpur was laid by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on 19th December 2016. Spread across an area of 16000 square meter, the building is now ready for laboratory development at the NSTI complex. This complex will house at least 12 state-of-the-art laboratories related to Skill Development under the following four major categories such as Machining and Manufacturing, Digital Technology, Information Technology; and Special Purpose Technology.