Tamil Nadu Gets a New Tech Skilling Hub & Center of Excellence at MEPZ SEZ

Chennai:

Port Wings News Network:

Marking a major milestone in advancing digital skilling and workforce empowerment, the state-of-the-art MEPZ–C-DAC IT Skill Development Centre & Center of Excellence (CoE) was inaugurated at the MEPZ SEZ, Chennai, on 17 October 2025 in the presence of S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, Alex Paul Menon, IAS, Development Commissioner, MEPZ, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Dr. K.P. Karthikeyan, IAS, MD ELCOT, E. Maghesh, Director General, C-DAC, and Dr. S.D. Sudarsan, Executive Director, C-DAC Bangalore.

The Center, launched in response to industry insights highlighting critical gaps in transformative technology, leadership, and regulatory expertise, provides structured, hands-on training for IT professionals and fresh graduates. Its inaugural flagship programs in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and Cybersecurity focus on equipping participants with industry-relevant, project-based skills aligned with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.  The CoE will focus on R&D infrastructure support, industrial consulting and other incubation support required by the industry.

Backed by C-DAC’s proven training excellence and MEPZ’s thriving ecosystem of over 500 IT units, the Centre is poised to become a launchpad for future-ready talent capable of meeting global technology demands and fueling India’s digital growth.

S. Krishnan said: “This Centre will act as a crucible for innovation and skilling. It reflects the importance of regional innovation hubs in driving India’s digital transformation, strengthening the bridge between education, research, and industry needs.”

He also spoke about the accelerating pace of technological change which necessitates continuous upskilling and reskilling which is a critical requirement that institutions like C-DAC are structured to meet. Crucially, C-DAC offers industries the necessary flexibility and customization of courses, allowing them to rapidly adjust training programs to a changing market—a level of agility that is indispensable in today’s environment. He also mentioned that while the discussion around AI often focuses on displacement, particularly in white-collar roles—a smaller, albeit important, segment of the Indian workforce—the true impact is far more expansive and empowering: AI will upskill and augment most of the remaining workforce.

Alex Paul Menon said: “With MEPZ’s strong industry base and C-DAC’s technology leadership, this centre will be a catalyst for bridging the talent gap.”

S. D. Sudarsan said: “We envision this as more than a training centre—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of India’s digital builders.”

Following the inauguration, an Industry Stakeholders Interface Meeting organized by MEPZ SEZ and facilitated by NASSCOM took place, focusing on the “Impact of US Tariffs on IT / ITES & Electronics Sectors.”

Key insights from the discussions included the importance of:

Achieving a true competitive advantage today requires recognizing the resilience and quality of human resources as a core asset. To sustain growth and innovation, organizations must first ensure a strong embrace of new technology, while concurrently adopting a nimble and agile approach that allows them to adapt rapidly to the dynamic global market. Crucially, this strategy relies on ensuring people are well-trained, with IT Skill Development Centres playing a pivotal role in equipping the workforce for future demands.

Businesses operating today face the complex task of simultaneously navigating geopolitical challenges that impact both supply chains and market access. This necessitates managing just-in-time inventories effectively in uncertain times to maintain operational flow. To reduce risks and enhance stability, firms must strategically leverage Global Value Chains (GVCs) while actively pursuing diversification in both their supply sources and their end markets. Together, MEPZ SEZ and C-DAC are charting a new course for digital empowerment and skill innovation, reaffirming Tamil Nadu’s position as a leading hub for technology excellence and future-ready talent.

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