[L-R] Dr. PS Manjula, Dean, Students Affairs, University of Madras, Shiv Kakkar, Director, Mapping Skills Technology, Dr. S Armstrong, Member, VC convener committee, University of Madras

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, announced a strategic collaboration with the University of Madras to launch its flagship tech education initiative, Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), in Tamil Nadu—strengthening its commitment to building future-ready skills among the state’s youth.

The launch event was attended by senior academicians from the University of Madras, including Dr. P. S. Manjula, Dean, Students’ Affairs; Dr. Rita John, Registrar; and Dr. S. Armstrong, Member, Vice-Chancellor Convener Committee.

Aligned with state and national skilling priorities, Samsung Innovation Campus equips youth with essential skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Coding & Programming. The programme now spans 10 states, aiming to upskill 20,000 students nationwide in 2025—a six-fold expansion over last year.

In Tamil Nadu, 5,000 students will be provided training this year, which is about 25% of the national target—positioning the state as a frontrunner in driving digital empowerment and job-ready talent. In the first phase, the programme will train 500 students within the University of Madras—one of India’s oldest and most prestigious universities—followed by 1,500 students from its affiliated colleges.

Samsung Innovation Campus was launched in India in 2022 and by 2024 had trained 6,500 students, training a total of 26,500 students by 2025. It now continues to expand its footprint with a strong focus on underserved and semi-urban communities. Samsung has partnered with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to train students through accredited training partners.

Nationally, Samsung Innovation Campus has achieved 44% women participation—reflecting Samsung’s focus on inclusive and equitable skilling. Beyond technical learning, participants receive soft skills training and placement support to strengthen employability and workplace readiness.

Together with its Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung DOST initiatives, Samsung Innovation Campus underscores Samsung’s long-term commitment to democratizing technology, building talent pipelines, and preparing India’s youth for a connected, innovation-driven future.

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced a major expansion of its flagship CSR programme, Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), reaffirming its commitment to empowering India’s youth with future-ready skills while supporting the Government’s vision of Digital India and Skill India.

The skilling programme, will expand to 10 states this year, up from four in 2024. It will upskill 20,000 students in future-tech skills such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Coding & Programming during 2025, a six-fold increase over last year’s 3,500 students. Alongside technical training, the students will also receive instruction in soft skills to enhance workplace readiness, while eligible candidates will be supported with placement assistance in relevant industries.

“Samsung is proud to be a long-standing partner in India’s growth journey. Samsung Innovation Campus, which is aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India and Digital India initiatives, reflects our shared vision of harnessing technology to unlock opportunities for the youth. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, we are equipping India’s youth with future-ready skills, helping them prepare for the digital economy and drive the country’s progress. We remain committed to expanding access to skilling and employment opportunities, especially for students from underserved communities, and to support the Government’s vision of a digitally-empowered India,” said JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Strategic Focus on Scale and Inclusion

Samsung has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) to train 10,000 students in emerging technologies across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and West Bengal. A second MoU with the Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) will extend the programme to another 10,000 students in Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Maharashtra.

A key emphasis this year will be on Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with 5,000 students from each state set to receive training in future technologies. The initiative is designed to democratize access to future-tech skills by reaching both urban and semi-urban areas, ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in India’s digital transformation.

Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI) and Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC), both National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)-approved entities, will implement the programme through their networks of accredited training partners and centres. Since its launch in India in 2022, Samsung Innovation Campus has trained 6,500 students in future technologies.

Samsung Innovation Campus: A Key Pillar of CSR in India

Samsung Innovation Campus is part of Samsung’s broader CSR strategy, alongside programmes such as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, which encourages youth innovation and problem-solving for social good. Together, these initiatives are designed to improve access to education, foster creativity, and prepare India’s next generation to thrive in a technology-driven future.

Himanshu Srivastava: Samsung Innovation Campus is not just about learning concepts—it is about solving real-world problems with tech

As a curious four-year-old, Himanshu Srivastava watched in awe as his father introduced him to their first computer, sparking an early fascination with technology. That moment ignited a passion for coding, leading him to build his first AI pong game at just nine years old. Today, Himanshu is a software engineer at a startup, turning his childhood dreams into a reality—thanks to the transformative power of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC).

Hailing from Bihar and raised in West Bengal, Himanshu’s journey reflects resilience, curiosity, and the hunger to learn. While pursuing his degree at CIT in Bengaluru, he immersed himself in ideathons and contests, consistently earning accolades. But the turning point arrived when he discovered the SIC programme at Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B).

Aligned with the Government of India’s #SkillIndia and #DigitalIndia initiatives, SIC, Samsung’s flagship CSR initiative, focuses on improving the employability of the youth by training them in high-demand tech fields such as AI, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming.

For Himanshu, SIC’s hands-on AI/ML curriculum stood apart from traditional theoretical courses. “The programme wasn’t just about learning concepts—it was about solving real-world problems with technology,” he said. Under the guidance of seasoned mentors, Himanshu sharpened his technical expertise, published a research paper and gained confidence to tackle complex problems.

Now, at Bik AI, Himanshu applies the critical thinking and problem-solving skills instilled in him through SIC. “The real-world challenges I face daily are much easier to manage thanks to the preparation I received inside and outside the classrooms at campus,” he said.

For Himanshu, SIC wasn’t just an opportunity—it was the catalyst that transformed his passion into a thriving career. His story is a testament to the power of practical learning and the impact of programmes such as SIC in nurturing the tech leaders of tomorrow.

Harsh Channa: IoT student at Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) in Delhi

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) is dedicated to empowering students by equipping them with cutting-edge skills and knowledge. Through a comprehensive and hands-on approach, Samsung Innovation Campus is making a significant impact on students’ lives, offering them a platform to ensure a better tomorrow.

Samsung Innovation Campus offers four pivotal courses designed to address the demands of the current job market:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): This course delves into the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and neural networks, preparing students to innovate and excel in AI-driven industries.

Internet of Things (IoT): Students learn about embedded systems, real-world applications of IoT, and the integration of smart devices, crucial for careers in the growing field of IoT.

Big Data: This course covers data analytics, data processing, and the use of big data technologies, enabling students to harness the power of data for decision-making and strategy

Coding & Programming: Focused on software development, this course teaches various programming languages and development frameworks, setting the foundation for versatile software engineering careers.

Harsh Channa’s Journey: Change begins with Samsung Innovation Campus 

Harsh Channa, a student at Samsung Innovation Campus in Delhi, epitomizes the transformative power of Samsung Innovation Campus.

“I am an Internet of Things student at Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) in Delhi. Like many students, I was confused about my career. I got to know about Samsung Innovation Campus from my teachers. Here, I’ve found a direction for my career. We are learning embedded systems and real-world applications of Raspberry Pi kits in an updated course content based on the upcoming IoT jobs in the market. It has given me a lot of confidence. Thanks to Samsung Innovation Campus now I know which route to take.”

Harsh’s story underscores the essential role that Samsung Innovation Campus plays in guiding students toward a promising future. By offering industry-relevant education and practical experience,  the programme only enhances students’ technical skills but also boosts their confidence and career clarity.

Shaping Careers

Samsung Innovation Campus is more than just an educational program; it is a launching pad for the innovators of tomorrow. By continually updating its curriculum to match industry trends and demands, Samsung Innovation Campus ensures that students are not only prepared for the present but are also ready to lead in the future.

As Harsh Channa’s journey illustrates, SIC is a beacon of opportunity, illuminating the path for countless students towards a brighter, more confident future.

Here’s Harsh talking about his first experience of the programme:

Explore Harsh Chana’s journey with #SamsungInnovationCampus, where he’s mastering essential tech skills to lead in tomorrow’s world. With hands-on training in AI, sustainable tech, and problem-solving, SIC equips young minds like Harsh’s to thrive. pic.twitter.com/2xxnAq5g1v

— SamsungNewsroomIN (@SamsungNewsIN) June 19, 2024

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, has upskilled 3,000 less-privileged students from eight cities across India in future tech domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming, making them job ready and helping them get relevant job placements. The students were under Samsung’s flagship programme – Samsung Innovation Campus.

With this programme, Samsung is reiterating its commitment to being a strong partner of India and working alongside the Government in its mission to empowering the country’s youth and strengthening Digital India.

Over the last one year, the Samsung Innovation Campus programme was executed by Electronics Sectors Skills Council of India (ESSCI) through its nationwide network of approved training and education partners.

The final batch of 120 students of Samsung Innovation Campus are from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow.

These students were felicitated and given certificates at a ceremony held in Lucknow in the presence of Dr. Shishir Kumar, Dean, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, COO (officiating CEO) ESSCI, Mr. Hyun Kim, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia and Mr. Shubham Mukherjee, Head CSR, Samsung SWA.

Of the total 3,000 students trained under the programme, around a third are from Uttar Pradesh. These students will now appear in job fairs and begin their journey in the real world.

“At Samsung, we believe in the power of the youth and want to contribute in creating a pool of skilled workforce to better India’s digital future. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, we want to empower the youth and create opportunities for them in future tech domains, further boosting India’s growth story and strengthening our commitment to the country. We are elated to have witnessed such talent and potential in these students who are now ready and skilled to digitally transform the world around us,” said Mr. Hyun Kim, Corporate Vice President, Samsung Southwest Asia

“At ESSCI, we are working on establishing an effective and efficient skilling ecosystem for developing and imparting outcome-oriented skills. The Samsung Innovation Campus programme, with courses in Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming, is strengthening the skills ecosystem in the country and is an important step to make India the skills capital of the world,” said Dr. Abhilasha Gaur, Chief Operating Officer (Officiating CEO), ESSCI.

At the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, we welcome the Samsung Innovation Campus initiative that is imparting employment-oriented future tech skills to our students. These skills are much needed in today’s digital world”, said Mr. Sanjay Singh, Vice Chancellor, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University.

Samsung India launched its Samsung Innovation Campus program at eight campuses across the country with the aim of upskilling 3,000 less-privileged youth in future tech domains such as AI, IoT, Big Data, and Coding & Programming and helping them get relevant job placements.

Samsung Innovation Campus aims to upskill youth aged 18-25 years in future technologies and enhance their employability. These are key technology skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

During the programme, participants receive instructor-led classroom training through approved training and education partners of ESSCI across the country. Youth enrolled in the programme undergo classroom training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas – Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data and Coding & Programming. They are also imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability and facilitate job placements in relevant organizations.

Those opting for the AI course undergo 270 hours of theory training and complete 80 hours of project work while those doing the IoT or the Big Data course undergo 160 hours of training and complete 80 hours of project work. Participants opting for the Coding & Programming course do 80 hours of training and become part of a Hackathon.

With Samsung Innovation Campus, Samsung is expanding its CSR initiatives that focus on education and skilling of youth in India. Apart from Samsung Innovation Campus, Samsung runs another CSR programme in India, Solve for Tomorrow, through which it is empowering the leaders of tomorrow and equipping them with the tools they will need to realize meaningful change. Through the programme, Samsung aims to foster a culture of innovative thinking and problem solving among the nation’s youth.

With this, Samsung is reiterating its commitment to being a strong partner of India and is working alongside the Government in its mission to empower the country’s youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

Youth enrolled in the program are undergoing classroom training to complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas from AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming. The mandatory project phase for certification is devised to help students gain hands-on experience in the respective courses.

Those opting for the AI course have 270 hours of theory training and  80 hours of project work, while those doing the IoT or the Big Data course have 160 hours of training and 80 hours of project work.

Participants opting for the Coding & Programming course have 80 hours of training and participate in a 4-day Hackathon to conclude the course.

They will also be imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability and provided job placements in relevant organizations.

Find more about Samsung Innovation Campus in the video:

Samsung’s flagship CSR program, Samsung Innovation Campus, concluded the training of students of Delhi in future-tech domains of Coding & Programming, AI, Big Data, and IoT. The program designed to upskill and empower India’s youth alongside the Government’s mission of #PoweringDigitalIndia witnessed participation by a huge number of students in an exciting hackathon and certification event.

A total of 206 students completed their courses and received certifications at NSIC (National Small Industries Corporation), Okhla, Delhi, wherein 31 students received graduated in Coding & Programming, 21 in AI (Artificial Intelligence), 30 in Big Data, and 124 in IoT (Internet of Things).

Since IoT as an industry is booming, I am confident that the deep learning provided to me through Samsung Innovation Campus, will benefit me better understanding the concepts, crack error-free codes and land a better job to kick-start a career’, said Dhruv, an IoT graduate from Samsung Innovation Campus.

‘Samsung provided me with an opportunity to get a hands-on experience of platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi, that are the next generations of IoT applications. I am certain that these will act as a catalyst in determining the course of my professional career’, said Diya, an IoT graduate from Samsung Innovation Campus.

Students developed codes to combat social and macro-level issues facing the country. In the event Mr. OP Singh, General Manager, NSIC, Delhi, presided over the graduation ceremony as the chief guest in the esteemed presence of Samsung’s CSR team, Saroj Apato, Vice President Sales at Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI), and Vimlesh Bhatia from NSIC, Delhi.

Furthermore, these 206 graduates will attend job fairs and receive support in finding the ideal jobs per their skills. The flagship CSR program by Samsung aims to equip students with domain knowledge and deep learning of future tech courses.

Samsung India has started its CSR program ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ at eight campuses across the country with the aim of upskilling 3,000 less-privileged youth in future tech domains such as AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming and helping them get relevant job placements.

With this, Samsung is reiterating its commitment to being a strong partner of India and is working alongside the Government in its mission to empower the country’s youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

ESSCI, which is a National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) approved entity, is executing the program through its nationwide network of approved training and education partners. Samsung India signed a MoU with ESSCI in September, 2022.

Courses under the ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ program have started at the University of Lucknow, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) in New Delhi and Hyderabad, Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekananda Technical University in Bhilai, SRR College of Arts & Sciences in Karimnagar, Central Tool Room & Training Center in Bhubaneswar, Sri Jayachamarajendra Polytechnic College in Bengaluru and Dr Lankapalli Bullayya College in Visakhapatnam.

“Our global citizenship initiative, Samsung Innovation Campus, is closely tied with India’s development agenda. Through this initiative, we want to empower the youth and create opportunities for them in future tech domains, further boosting India’s growth story and strengthening our commitment to Powering Digital India,” said Mr. Partha Ghosh, Head, CSR and Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Samsung Innovation Campus aims to upskill youth aged 18-25 years in future technologies and enhance their employability. These are key technology skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Students who have enrolled for the courses have undergone a pre-course assessment and are undergoing classroom training by professors at the eight institutes. The courses have been divided into small batches of 30 students on an average to ensure focused training for student individually and to provide exhaustive learning opportunities in advanced technology.

They have also been provided the right tools to understand the practical applications of each of the technologies they are working on. For instance, students undergoing the IoT course have got Galaxy Upcycling kits, which consists of a Samsung Galaxy S9 or Note 9 smartphone, an ESP32 Dev board, a micro 5p cable, 2 resistors, 1 led, 1 tactile switch, 1 breadboard, 1 jumper cable M-M, 1 USB Type-C adapter & cable, and 1 micro 5p USB adapter that enable them to get hands-on experience of how the technology works.

Youth enrolled in the program will undergo classroom training and complete their hands-on capstone project work in their selected technology areas from AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding & Programming. The mandatory project phase for certification is devised to help students gain hands-on experience in the respective courses.

Those opting for the AI course will undergo 270 hours of theory training and complete 80 hours of project work, while those doing the IoT or the Big Data course will undergo 160 hours of training and complete 80 hours of project work.

Participants opting for the Coding & Programming course will complete 80 hours of training and participate in a 4-day Hackathon to conclude the course.

They will also be imparted soft skills training to enhance their employability and provided job placements in relevant organizations

After completing their courses, students will attend job fairs and will be supported in the process of searching for the right job for their skills.

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics company, is inviting startups to collaborate on technologies around the Government’s Digital India stack, which includes UPI, Digilocker, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN), Unified Health Interface (UHI) among others.

With this, Samsung aims to accelerate its Digital India journey in the country and strengthen its vision of Powering Digital India.

The startups will partner with Samsung’s R&D centres and business units in India on domains such as wallet, health, fitness where products and services will be integrated with the Samsung ecosystem.

On a case-to-case basis, Samsung will also explore funding support to some of these startups to help them further scale their solutions.

As a first step to connect with startups in India, Samsung held a Startup Collab event at the iconic Samsung Opera House in Bengaluru earlier this week. At the event, around 25 startups from across India came together and interacted with Samsung leadership from its R&D centres in Bengaluru and Noida, and its corporate headquarters in Gurugram, exploring Samsung’s ecosystem of products and services and understanding where they can potentially collaborate around Digital India initiatives.

“Samsung is a consumer centric company and strives to develop meaningful innovations for consumers in India. The Government’s Digital India stack is revolutionary, and has the potential to transform the way many sectors work. We wish to collaborate with startups who have cutting-edge technologies in this space, which, when integrated with the Samsung ecosystem, can transform the lives of people, our consumers,” said Dipesh Shah, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore.

“As a large multinational, we bring to the table strong consumer understanding, business know-how and market reach that will help startups refine their offerings to enable compelling consumer experience. Co-prosperity is one of our core values and we hope to play our part in enhancing the innovation ecosystem in the country, thereby Powering Digital India,” said Dr. Balvinder Singh, Head, Open Innovation Group, Samsung R&D Institute Bangalore.

The startups that attended Samsung’s Startup Collab event were from the fintech, health tech and eCommerce space with some of them utilizing the India Stack to build for Digital India services.

As part of the collaboration, Samsung’s R&D centres and business units in India will work together with the startups to co-build solutions for a specific product or service that have the potential to be integrated with Samsung’s product ecosystem.

Samsung’s engineers, who work on cutting-edge domains such as AI, machine learning, IoT, big data, metaverse, will also provide these startups  with technical mentorship as well as guidance in protecting their intellectual property, wherever relevant.

Over the years, Samsung has had very successful partnerships with startups in the country. For instance, a successful startup today powers Samsung’s local India app-store where consumers can discover and access their favourite mobile applications in 12 Indian languages. This currently has close to 3 million daily active users.

Another startup has powered Lock Screen Stories on Samsung Galaxy smartphones in which consumers get beautiful wallpapers and content every time they unlock their devices. This feature has close to 30 million daily active users.