Maharashtra on Thursday took a major step towards building a globally competitive workforce by signing three key agreements with leading South Korean institutions in the areas of skill development, technical
education, lifelong learning and advanced research.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who described the collaboration as a “historic partnership” that would help transform Maharashtra into a global skill and innovation hub.
The agreements were signed between the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) and Korea Polytechnics, Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) and South Korea’s National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE), and Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skill University (RT-MSSU) with two branches of the prestigious Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
Speaking at the event, Fadnavis said South Korea has emerged as a global leader in advanced industries, innovation and workforce training, and Maharashtra would benefit immensely from Korean expertise and technology. He said the collaboration would help Indian students receive world-class technical training ranging from basic industrial skills to highly specialised technologies.
The Chief Minister stressed that Maharashtra’s economic ambitions, including its target of becoming a USD 1 trillion economy, would require a strong pool of skilled manpower across sectors. “India’s young population is our biggest strength. This partnership will help convert that demographic advantage into productive human capital,” he said.
One of the most significant outcomes of the partnership is the proposed establishment of advanced “Learning Factory” training centres in Maharashtra under the DVET-Korea Polytechnics collaboration. These centres will focus on industry-oriented practical training using modern machinery and globally benchmarked curricula.
The agreements also aim to reshape continuing education and digital upskilling in Maharashtra. Through the MSSDS-NILE partnership, the state plans to develop a comprehensive lifelong learning framework along with digital certification and reskilling platforms to meet evolving industry demands.
Meanwhile, the RT-MSSU-KAIST collaboration is expected to open international academic and research opportunities for students and faculty members from Maharashtra. The partnership includes higher education programmes, research collaborations and the setting up of a Joint Research Centre on Global Sustainability.
Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the agreements would strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a national leader in skill development and innovation. Senior officials from both India and South Korea attended the signing ceremony, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between the two sides.
