Port Blair, Aug 09: In a progressive move aligned with the Government of India’s vision of integrating emerging technologies to elevate public service delivery, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Wadhwani Foundation, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to economic development through technology and innovation. The signing ceremony took place today, marking a significant milestone in the UT Administration’s efforts to modernize and enhance its services.
The MoU was formally signed between the Secretary (IT) of A&N Administration and the Chief Executive Officer of Wadhwani Foundation, representing the Skills Development Network (SDN), Bengaluru, Karnataka, which serves as the Implementing Partner of Wadhwani Foundation. The event was graced by the Chief Secretary of A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS and other senior officials.
The Chief Secretary of A&N Administration expressed his gratitude to the Wadhwani Foundation for their support and collaboration in integrating these transformative technologies with the e-Governance initiatives of the UT Administration. He commended the Foundation’s efforts in formalizing this partnership and emphasized the importance of analyzing the dataset compiled for the Berojgar Mukt Bharat Scheme. He urged the Wadhwani Foundation to assist in bridging data gaps using AI and other technologies, aiming to achieve the goal of a Berojgar Mukt Andaman.
Additionally, the Chief Secretary suggested incorporating the skilling of students and Job Seakers of the Islands in emerging technologies as part of this collaboration. By adding this component to the MoU, the youth of A&N Islands will have the opportunity to gain valuable skills, start businesses in technology-driven sectors, and secure better employment opportunities in leading companies across the country.
This collaboration aims to upskill the Administration’s workforce in crucial areas such as data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, drones, and blockchain technology. The adoption of these cutting-edge technologies is anticipated to significantly improve the delivery of public services and the evaluation of policy impacts. Various e-Governance initiatives across Departments like Social Welfare, Education, SOVTECH, and the Registrar of Birth & Death will be revamped by integrating AI and other technologies through this partnership.
During the event, Shri Sudhir Aggarwal, Director-Digital Transformation, Shri Sunil Dahiya, Executive Vice President-Wadhwani Skilling, and Dr. R.K. Gupta, Chief Technology Officer-Wadhwani Government Digital Transformation, delivered an insightful presentation on the potential sectors where the A&N Administration could leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance public service delivery.
This strategic partnership between the A&N Administration and the Wadhwani Foundation is poised to equip Government employees and Island residents with essential skills and enable the effective implementation of emerging technologies in various domains. The initiative is expected to lead to more efficient, innovative, and citizen-centric public service delivery.
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