Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) today inaugurated its first “Samsung Skill Development Centre” at the Government Polytechnic in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Karnataka. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, SSIR has supported the development of five cutting-edge laboratories aimed at fostering hands-on learning in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Cybersecurity, Automation, Robotics, and Core Engineering disciplines.

The initiative aligns with Samsung’s commitment to empower youth in remote parts of the country to become catalysts of change and future innovation, while nurturing a passion for engineering and innovation amongst students from all backgrounds. Through this association, Samsung is dedicated to empowering young minds, improving the quality of education, and fostering a nationwide culture of scientific curiosity and innovation.

The five newly inaugurated Labs have facilities equipped with modern tools. This will further enable an ecosystem of innovation for students to thrive and help them develop industry-capable skills as part of their learning curriculum. Under a multidisciplinary approach, students will be provided practical experience.

Balajee Sowrirajan, EVP & MD, SSIR, said, “This initiative marks a pivotal step in enabling a hands-on experience for students in rural Karnataka. We fully support the Government of India’s mission on skill development and are committed to bridging the digital divide. By empowering students with knowledge in AI, IoT, and other emerging technologies, we aim to create limitless opportunities and secure India’s place in the global digital economy.”

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr. Roopkala M Shashidhar, Chairperson, Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation; Smt. Manjushree N, Commissioner, Department of Collegiate and Technical Education; Smt. Geethanjali S, Principal, Government Polytechnic KGF, along with over 500 students, faculty, and dignitaries from Samsung and the Government of Karnataka.

This initiative builds on SSIR’s earlier collaboration under the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), through which the company partnered with the Government of Karnataka to provide AI and IoT training to over 1,000 students and teachers across 37 polytechnic colleges. The SIC initiative included infrastructure support, hands-on kits, and curriculum-based training modules designed to strengthen foundational tech capabilities across the state.

According to the Best Global Brands list announced by the global consulting firm Interbrand on October 20 (local time), Samsung ranked fifth with a brand value of USD 74.6 billion, a 20% increase compared to last year. On the back of its strong financial performance, which has recovered to reach pre-pandemic levels, the company’s brand value surged by 20% this year, twice the average brand value growth rate among the top 100 brands in 2021.

Since entering the top five for the first time last year, Samsung has maintained its position for two consecutive years with its largest increase in brand value since 2013.

According to Interbrand, major factors that played a critical role in Samsung’s growth include:

• Its transition to a customer-centric management system, highlighted by the establishment of a new CX (customer experience) team dedicated to prioritizing customer experience and values
• Its ongoing efforts for sustainable development, including various campaigns guided by its CSR vision, ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People,’ as well as company-wide initiatives that promote sustainability, such as the use of eco-packaging for TVs and the Galaxy Upcycling program
• The launches of innovative products including the Galaxy Z Flip3, Neo QLEDs and the Bespoke lineup of home appliances
• Technology leadership as a solid number one in the Memory market and the launches of innovative System LSI products
• Leading the development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, automotive and robotics through consistent investment

“It is very encouraging to see Samsung Electronics reach the top five in the world last year and then achieve enormous double-digit growth this year — our biggest leap in brand value since 2013,” said YH Lee, CMO of Samsung Electronics. “We promise to leverage our customer-centric management model to keep listening to our customers. This is how we will repay the massive support we have received from customers around the globe.”

Interbrand evaluates businesses’ brand value based on a comprehensive analysis of multiple factors including financial performance, brand influence on purchase, and brand competitiveness.

Meanwhile, on October 12, Samsung was also ranked No.1 by Forbes as the World’s Best Employers 2021 for the second consecutive year. As a global organization with employees and businesses around the world, Samsung has, once again, been chosen as the number one employer.

Each year, Forbes surveys around 150,000 employees from 58 countries working for businesses with operations in multiple nations or regions, and this year asked respondents to rank their satisfaction with their employers’ COVID-19 responses and score their employers on the image, economic footprint, talent development, gender equality, and social responsibility.

※ Reference: Samsung Electronics’ growth in brand value (Interbrand)