UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development was launched at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU), Pune, on April 24, 2026 . The launch took place during the international conference "Women leading the future of work", organised in collaboration with UNESCO.
The chair was formally launched by Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Dignitaries at the event included Aditi Tatkare (Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister), Monica Nagelgaard (Consul General of Norway) and Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Pro-Chancellor of SSPU.
UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development — launch details
The initiative aims to boost women's participation in sectors shaping future jobs by aligning skilling with industry demand and equity. Chaudhary said the chair will help place women at the forefront of fields such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and new-age technologies.
Key facts are below.
| Event | Date / Number |
|---|---|
| Launch of UNESCO chair | April 24, 2026 |
| Conference: "Women leading the future of work" | April 24, 2026 |
| Industry experts participating | More than 40 |
UNESCO chair on gender inclusion and skill development — conference themes
Conference sessions covered defence technology, robotics, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and global capability centres. Panels featured policymakers, industry leaders, academics and global organisations.
International participants included representatives from the International Labour Organization, UNESCO Global Skills Academy and UNESCO-UNEVOC. Over 40 industry experts joined as speakers and panellists to discuss workforce transformation.
The chair is framed around reaching women from underserved communities and preparing them for roles in emerging sectors. organisers emphasised that skilling must be market-aligned and equitable to translate into meaningful employment.
What the announcement did not say
Officials did not provide details on training curricula, specific programmes, budgets or partner industry names. There was no timeline for roll-out, eligibility criteria for beneficiaries, or measurable targets and placement commitments.
These gaps mean students and stakeholders will need to watch for follow-up announcements from the university and official UNESCO communications for application details and course outlines.
Quick takeaways for students
If you are considering jobs in semiconductors, AI or advanced manufacturing, this chair signals growing attention on gender-inclusive skilling in those areas. Track SSPU and official UNESCO channels for programme launches, eligibility criteria and course dates.