NIIT and Autodesk partner to redefine design education in India

NIIT, leading Global Talent Development Corporation, and Asia's largest IT trainer, NIIT University, the University of the Future and Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software and services today entered into a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to evangelize design as a learning discipline in India.

The objective is to promote design literacy, design skilling and research & innovation in design. Given the dynamism in markets, work roles, and customer expectations, design thinking today is being recognized as one of the essential skills for all industries.

Under this significant partnership, NIIT and NIIT University will leverage design tools of Autodesk to offer a host of design programs. NIIT University will set up a design lab and launch masters programs in design to support research and innovation.

In addition, various specialized design programs will be launched for college students in verticals such as interface design, application design and media & entertainment design with an aim to create a pool of skilled manpower for these specific industries. For school students, NIIT will introduce design literacy programs to promote design thinking.

NIIT along with Autodesk and a specially constituted Design Advisory Council, set up under the aegis of NIIT University, will be designing the curriculum. More than a million students will be reached in over a decade.

According to a study by Gallup, 21st century skills should prepare and equip youth for the challenges and demands of work in today's knowledge-based, technology-driven, globalized environment. Just as IT helped India gain global recognition and spurred the growth of the service sector, about a decade ago, "Design Thinking" can be the differentiator that changes the economics of Indian workers and businesses and catalyzes the growth of the knowledge sector.

As a catalyst for transformation, Design Thinking cannot be a limited expertise. It has to permeate to a larger group. Design in India is a very old activity but a very young profession. Fragmented students and limited number of design experts have so far prevented a wider reach of the skill. However, today, newer models of training delivery, such as NIIT's Cloud Campus have the potential to enhance the reach of design experts. By entering into this partnership with Autodesk, NIIT takes the first step towards introducing design thinking amongst school and college students.