In a big drive to develop an industry-capable telecom talent pool and augment India’s digital agenda, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has partnered with four of the world’s top technology players, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia, to introduce cutting-edge skilling programs in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cybersecurity, and networking.
The strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), inked at New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, will witness state-of-the-art training to be implemented at BSNL’s premier institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT) at Jabalpur.
Aiming for a Global Role
The project is a stepping stone towards the setting up of the Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT, envisaged as a Centre of Excellence for cutting-edge telecom research and skill building in the areas of 6G, AI, and cybersecurity. TIRTC will also foster product innovation, prototyping, and telecom entrepreneurship, complementary to the government’s flagship programs: Digital India, Make in India, Skill India, Startup India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
In his address to the gathering, Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia referred to the initiative as “a landmark step in developing a skilled and future-ready telecom workforce through collaboration between BSNL and leading global technology companies.” He added, “Backed by industry leaders such as Ericsson, Nokia, Cisco, Qualcomm, and BSNL, the program will train over 2,000 students annually, with Phase 1 investments exceeding Rs.1 crore.”
The Minister further added that the courses, varying from short two-week modules to intensive 84-hour programs, “aim to place Jabalpur as a center for cutting-edge technology education.”
Reiterating India’s global aspirations, Shri Scindia said, “From local to global, India will not only make in India, but make for the world. Jabalpur will be at the center of this revolution.” Envisioning closer partnerships, he added, “Government and industry are two sides of the same coin. Together, we can make the dreams of our youth a reality.”
Industry-Led Training Model
Ericsson India will establish a dedicated 5G Centre of Excellence at BRBRAITT, providing on-campus training as well as online training under its Ericsson Educate program for more than 2,000 students every year.
Qualcomm Technologies Inc. will set up the Qualcomm Institute, specifically on advanced 5G and AI training, with sponsored seats for the first 100 candidates in year one.
Cisco Systems will scale its Cisco Networking Academy to include networking, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure, with free online courses and tools to educational institutions across the country.
Nokia Solutions and Networks India Pvt. Ltd. will set up a 5G Centre of Excellence and AI/ML Lab, which will train 300 students each year through joint certification from Nokia and BRBRAITT.
Telecom Secretary Dr. Neeraj Mittal welcomed the programme as a novel public-private partnership that will upscale not just public sector staff but also students and employees of telecom service providers through short, medium, and long-term programmes. “We hope this will give a fillip to employment and the economy, not just in Madhya Pradesh, but the country as a whole,” he added.
Jabalpur’s Strategic Leap
With the technical expertise of BSNL and its international partners combined, Jabalpur would become a national hub of telecom innovation. By integrating hands-on training in the labs with international curricula, the programme is set to provide a world-class learning environment, giving job-ready youth the ability to meet the needs of next-generation networks.
The step is likely to improve India’s standing in the global telecom ecosystem, generating a competent workforce that can contribute to international markets of technology while promoting indigenous self-reliance objectives.
