Bengaluru
In a historic move set to strengthen India-Africa ties, Karnataka’s state-run Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) has been chosen by Namibia as its official partner for technical education and vocational skilling. This marks the first-ever Indian government-backed skilling collaboration on African soil, with plans underway to establish a dedicated GTTC unit in Namibia.
The milestone partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently by GTTC Managing Director Dr. YK Dinesh Kumar and Anil Shinde, General Secretary of the Africa India Economic Foundation (AIEF), in the presence of Karnataka’s Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil, at Vikasa Soudha.
Established five decades ago, GTTC operates more than 20 training centers across Karnataka, annually equipping thousands of students with skills in advanced manufacturing fields like CNC machining, mechatronics, robotics, and precision toolmaking. Its alumni base exceeds 5 lakh skilled professionals, with programs tailored to industry demands.
Calling GTTC a “model institution,” Dr. Patil emphasized its seamless adaptability to African nations’ skilling requirements. He said the initiative is a leap toward “education diplomacy,” boosting Karnataka’s soft power globally while creating job opportunities for its graduates in Africa. The collaboration is also expected to open international markets for Karnataka’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The AIEF, which drives India-Africa partnerships in knowledge, technology, and investment, has garnered backing from the African Union and was formally acknowledged at the AU Summit 2020 in Addis Ababa.
Namibia’s selection stems from its abundant resources—including uranium, diamonds, and rare earth minerals—combined with strong growth in energy, marine, logistics, and agribusiness sectors. A stable democracy with an English-speaking population and investor-friendly policies, it presents an ideal base for implementing India’s skilling model.
“This initiative places Karnataka on the global skilling map,” said Dr. Kumar. “GTTC’s domain expertise will now empower a new generation of African youth in advanced manufacturing.”