HCLFoundation signs MoUs with the Government of Tamil Nadu
HCLFoundation,
which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of global technology
company HCLTech in
India, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two departments of
the Government of Tamil Nadu, namely StartupTN and the Department of
Employment and Training (DET), to enhance entrepreneurship and
vocational education in the state.
StartupTN, under the Department of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of Tamil Nadu, promotes
innovation and startups and operates as a registered Section 8 company. Dr.
Nidhi Pundhir, SVP of Global CSR at HCLTech and Director of HCLFoundation, and
Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO of TANSIM, signed a three-year MoU for
HCLFoundation to support 100 startups. This partnership aims to foster
entrepreneurship among Tamil Nadu’s youth, promote inclusive innovation and
strengthen the state’s startup ecosystem for sustainable development and
economic growth.
The second MoU, which is a renewal of an
existing collaboration, was signed between the Department of
Employment and Training (DET), Government of Tamil Nadu, and
HCLFoundation. The agreement was formalized by Mr. B. Vishnu Chandran, I.A.S.,
Director of Employment and Training, and Dr. Nidhi Pundir. This five-year
initiative aims to strengthen the vocational education system in the state
through several measures, including the deployment of a Skill Rath (mobile lab
and awareness unit) to increase outreach in communities, the upgradation of
curriculum in select trades, training programs for both students and trainers
of Government ITIs and the promotion of sports to encourage holistic
development.
“We are committed to strengthening the entire
startup ecosystem across Tamil Nadu. StartupTN operates across 10 key
verticals, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and new ideas that
drive job creation and economic growth in the state. With over 10,000 startups
currently registered under StartupTN, we are proud to partner with a trusted
and impactful organization like HCLFoundation. Through this collaboration, we
aim to support 100 startups over the next three years—providing mentoring,
incubation, market linkage, and liaison support to help them scale and succeed”
said Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, CEO & Mission Director, StartupTN.
Mr. B. Vishnu Chandran, IAS, Director,
Department of Employment and Training, Government of Tamil Nadu, said “I sincerely
appreciate the efforts of HCLFoundation in strengthening the Industrial
Training Institutes across the state. As India advances in technological
innovation, it is imperative that our youth are equipped with future-ready
skills such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging
technologies. We look forward to HCLFoundation’s continued support in training
both students and instructors in these critical areas”.
"Our partnerships with the Government of
Tamil Nadu mark a significant step towards empowering the youth and fostering a
culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing access to vocational
education and supporting startups, we aim to create sustainable opportunities
that will contribute to the holistic development of the state. We firmly
believe that nurturing talent and potential at the grassroots level is crucial
for driving both personal and state-wide progress," said Dr. Nidhi
Pundhir, SVP of Global CSR at HCLTech and Director of HCLFoundation.
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