THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 12, 2026
In a
significant move to redefine the contours of inclusive education in India, the
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Centurion University of
Technology and Management (CUTM), Odisha, have entered into a strategic
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionising skill-based
education for school dropouts and underprivileged youth across the country.
The
partnership seeks to create a seamless bridge between vocational training and
formal academic certification, enabling learners to access sustainable,
industry-relevant education pathways. By combining NIOS’s expertise in
universal school education with Centurion University’s robust ecosystem of over
100 market-driven skill courses, the collaboration aspires to strengthen
employability while promoting socio-economic mobility.
The MoU was
signed and exchanged by Col. Shakeel Ahmad, Secretary, National Institute of
Open Schooling, and Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice-Chancellor, Centurion University,
in the presence of Dr. T.N. Giri, Director (Vocational Education) and
Additional Charge of Director (Evaluation), NIOS; Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra,
President, Centurion University; Dr. Ajay Kumar Nayak, Pro-Vice Chancellor
(Administration), Centurion University; Prof. Biswajit Mishra, Pro-Vice
Chancellor (Academics), Centurion University; Abhinav Madan, Co-founder and
Director, Gram Tarang Employability Training Services Pvt. Ltd.; and Dr.
Jagannath Padhi, Director, Centurion University, Bhubaneswar campus.
At the heart
of the agreement is a comprehensive academic integration framework that will
provide 10th and 12th-grade equivalency certifications to vocational trainees
associated with Centurion University and Gram Tarang. The collaboration will
also introduce apprenticeship-embedded diploma programmes through accredited
centres established at industry locations across the manufacturing and services
sectors. A reciprocal Transfer of Credit (TOC) mechanism between NIOS and CUTM
vocational programmes will allow learners to carry forward earned credits,
ensuring flexibility and continuity in education. This apart, both institutions
will work together on nationwide skill assessment and certification initiatives
under the aegis of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training
(NCVET).
“This partnership removes the barriers between
vocational training and formal schooling. By creditizing skill certificates, we
are providing learners a flexible, recognized pathway to both a diploma and
high school equivalency,” said Col. Shakeel Ahmad, Secretary, NIOS,
underscoring the transformative potential of the initiative.
Echoing the sentiment, Prof. Supriya Pattanayak, Vice-Chancellor, Centurion University, said, “Education must lead to a livelihood. By merging our 100+ skill courses with NIOS’s reach, we are giving underprivileged youth a formal academic identity and the technical expertise needed for the modern workforce.”
Under the terms of the MoU, NIOS will extend academic and technical support in the development of learning materials, while Centurion University will spearhead beneficiary identification and the implementation of training programmes across diverse domains including automotive, hospitality, agriculture, and allied health sciences. The two institutions will also jointly roll out “Training of Trainer” initiatives to enhance instructional quality and strengthen vocational pedagogy.
