NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform Integrated With Saylor University, USA.

New Delhi, Delhi, 10th of September, 2026 : The National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched a collaboration  with Saylor University, USA to integrate Saylor’s digital learning resources into the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) platform.

Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, attended as Chief Guest and formally inaugurated the partnership. The event took place at the MeitY, New Delhi.

Through this integration, learners on the NDU platform will gain access to a wider range of quality, self-paced and globally relevant online courses and learning resources offered by Saylor University. The initiative is expected to provide learners with greater flexibility and choice in pursuing digital learning, while creating a unified ecosystem that brings together national and international learning opportunities on a common platform.

The collaboration marks an important step towards strengthening India’s digital learning ecosystem through international academic partnership and technology-enabled education. It is expected to further enhance the reach and utility of the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) platform, particularly by facilitating wider access to digital education and supporting learners in acquiring contemporary knowledge and skills relevant to the evolving technology and employment landscape. The initiative also reflects NIELIT’s commitment to leveraging global partnerships to expand opportunities for lifelong learning, digital upskilling and skill development.

Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, who graced the event as the Chief Guest, congratulated NIELIT on the launch of the collaboration between the NIELIT Digital University Platform and Saylor University, USA. He appreciated the initiative as an important step towards expanding access to quality digital learning and strengthening opportunities for skilling, upskilling and lifelong learning. He highlighted the significance of such global collaborations in enhancing the digital education ecosystem and preparing learners with relevant skills to meet the evolving requirements of the technology-driven economy.

He also congratulated all stakeholders on the exchange of MoUs with leading organisations, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), NASSCOM, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd., Stemlore Innovators LLP, Dassault Systèmes, ABES Engineering College, and Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University (KBCNMU), Jalgaon. He described these collaborations as significant steps towards strengthening India’s digital skilling and education ecosystem, fostering stronger industry–academia linkages, and expanding access to quality, technology-enabled and industry-relevant learning opportunities.

Shri Krishnan emphasised the need to align skilling and talent development with the evolving requirements of industry and the global digital economy and highlighted the importance of continuous learning, upskilling and reskilling to ensure that India’s talent pool remains relevant and competitive.

Delivering his opening remarks, Dr. M. M. Tripathi, Director General, NIELIT, welcomed the distinguished guests and partner organisations and emphasised the importance of partnerships in strengthening digital education, skilling and emerging technology capabilities, while expanding access to quality, flexible and industry-relevant learning opportunities.

Dr. Tripathi highlighted that the collaboration will further enrich the digital learning ecosystem, facilitate continuous upskilling and reskilling, and create greater opportunities for learners to acquire relevant skills in line with the evolving requirements of the digital economy. He also underscored the role of such initiatives in supporting the development of a future-ready and globally competitive workforce.

Dr. David Shulman, Provost and Senior Vice President, Saylor University, USA, welcomed the collaboration and highlighted its potential to expand access to quality, flexible and industry-relevant digital education. Dr. Shulman emphasised the role of the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform in providing learners with a flexible digital learning environment and noted that integration of Saylor University’s free, self-paced online courses in areas such as AI, programming, data science, cybersecurity and business management would further enrich the NDU learning ecosystem.

He stated that combining NIELIT’s nationwide digital reach with Saylor University’s open-learning resources through the NDU Platform can expand learning opportunities for students, working professionals and learners seeking to upskill or reskill, while contributing to a digitally skilled and globally competitive workforce, including in Tier-2, Tier-3 and underserved regions.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sheila Jagannathan, Vice President, Saylor University, USA, emphasised that rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies require a skilled workforce committed to continuous learning and upskilling.

Dr. Jagannathan highlighted the potential of the NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform to provide flexible, self-paced learning pathways and credentials. She noted that Saylor University offers more than 160+ free online courses in areas including AI, data science, programming and cybersecurity. She stated that the collaboration brings together NIELIT’s nationwide reach and Saylor University’s open-learning resources to democratise access to education, enhance employability and support the development of a future-ready and globally competitive workforce.

Delivering the closing remarks, Dr. Alok Tripathi, Director (Scheme/Skilling) & Chief Controller of Examinations, NIELIT, highlighted that these partnerships would further strengthen NIELIT’s efforts towards digital skilling, emerging technologies and industry-oriented learning, while creating wider opportunities for learners across the country. He expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued support and concluded the event with a call for sustained collaboration towards building a future-ready and globally competitive digital workforce.

Exchange of MoUs with Partner Organisations

As part of the event, NIELIT exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 08 partner organisations from association, industry and academia. The collaborations are aimed at expanding industry-aligned skilling, certification, faculty development, internships and digital learning opportunities, largely leveraging the NDU platform. The partner organisations are:

1. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
2. National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
3. Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI)
4. Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd.
5. STEM Learning and Outreach for Research and Education (STEMLORE)
6. Dassault Systèmes
7. ABES Engineering College
8. Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University (KBCNMU), Jalgaon

About NIELIT

National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), an Autonomous Scientific Society of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has been a pioneer in skill development and digital empowerment.

With its extensive presence through 56 NIELIT centers, over 700 accredited institutes, and 8,000+ facilitation centers, NIELIT has skilled and certified millions of students in emerging technologies in the E&ICT domain.

NIELIT has been conferred the status of “Deemed to be University” under the distinct category as per UGC (Institution Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023 having its main campus at Ropar (Punjab) and eleven constituent campuses located in Aizawl, Agartala, Calicut, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Gorakhpur, Imphal, Itanagar, Ajmer, Kohima, Patna and Srinagar, aims to revolutionize higher education in E&ICT domain using digital technologies.

About NIELIT Digital University (NDU) platform
The NIELIT Digital University (NDU) Platform is a next-generation digital learning ecosystem launched on 2 October 2025 to provide accessible, affordable and industry-aligned education in emerging technologies. With 2.80 lakh+ registered learners, NDU offers 120+ courses across AI, Cyber Security, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Semiconductor Design, VLSI and other frontier domains. Reaching learners across all 36 States/UTs and 761 districts, the platform supports anytime-anywhere online and blended learning through AI-enabled tools, Virtual Labs and an advanced Learning Management System. NDU also offers NSQF-aligned, NCVET-approved programmes, ABC-enabled credit transfer, and personalized learning pathways, strengthening employability and lifelong skill development.