Can a three-minute WhatsApp video help workers learn without interrupting their work? Can a smartphone warn commuters about potholes and waterlogged roads before they encounter them? Can an AI-powered wearable help people with Parkinson’s remain active and independent?

Three teams from Tamil Nadu—4 Percentage, JARVISS and Rogue—are attempting to turn these possibilities into reality. Their ideas have now taken them to the Top 20 of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026.

Through MicroLearning AI, SafePath AI and NeuroStride, nine young innovators from Chennai and Coimbatore are using artificial intelligence, sensors and wearable technology to solve everyday problems in workplace learning, road safety and healthcare.

Learning on the Shopfloor—in Just Three Minutes

For Sajith J, Mithran B and Kavin Nanadha M K of Coimbatore-based team 4 Percentage, the challenge was clear: conventional training programmes can be difficult to fit into the schedules of factory and frontline workers.

Their solution, MicroLearning AI, converts complex information into short, two-to-three-minute learning videos that can be delivered through WhatsApp in workers’ native languages. The platform is designed to make workplace learning easier to access, understand and complete without requiring employees to step away from their jobs for extended periods.

By combining AI with the familiarity of WhatsApp and regional-language content, the team hopes to make training more practical for workers across industries.

Helping Commuters See Road Hazards Before They Reach Them

Chennai-based team JARVISS, comprising Sanjay Kumaar, GB Ashwind Bhagat and Varun Prasath K is developing SafePath AI to help commuters navigate potholes, waterlogged roads and other hazards more safely.

The platform uses smartphone and IoT sensor data to detect road hazards, assess their severity and recommend safer routes. It is also being designed to alert the relevant authorities, creating the potential for quicker identification and resolution of unsafe road conditions.

Rather than asking commuters to react after encountering a pothole or flooded stretch, JARVISS wants to give them useful information before they reach it—turning everyday smartphones into tools for safer mobility.

Using AI to Support People with Parkinson’s

For Chennai-based team Rogue, the challenge is deeply human: helping people with Parkinson’s manage involuntary tremors while retaining greater independence in their daily lives.
Team members Manoj Kumar Kasinathan, Jena R and Chriswin William D are developing NeuroStride, an AI-powered wearable designed to distinguish involuntary Parkinson’s tremors from intentional muscle movement. The device then seeks to provide targeted electrical stimulation to support more controlled movement.

The team’s larger ambition is to develop an accessible, non-invasive solution that can help people with Parkinson’s perform everyday activities with greater confidence.

The three Tamil Nadu teams are among the 20 finalists selected from across India under the fifth edition of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. More than half of this year’s Top 20 participants come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, reflecting how youth-led innovation is expanding beyond India’s traditional technology hubs.

The finalists will receive continued mentorship from Samsung experts and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi. The support will help them refine their prototypes, validate their solutions and strengthen their understanding of product development, scalability, business strategy and market readiness.

Each Top 20 team will receive INR 1 lakh for prototype development, while every participant will receive a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip smartphone. Four winning teams—one from each programme theme—will collectively receive INR 2 crore in incubation grants from Samsung through FITT-IIT Delhi.

For 4 Percentage, JARVISS and Rogue, reaching the national stage is an opportunity to take solutions shaped by problems close to home and prepare them for a much larger impact. Their journeys show that transformative innovation can begin with something as familiar as a WhatsApp video, a difficult commute or the everyday struggle to complete a simple movement.

For decades, Sriperumbudur was known for its villages, farmlands and quiet roads. As Tamil Nadu continues to emerge as India’s leading manufacturing hubs, Sriperumbudur is at the centre of this transformation, with thousands of people arriving every day to power the country’s industrial growth.

But beyond the factory gates, another transformation has quietly taken place.

It is a story told not through production numbers or exports, but through fruit shops, tailoring centres, family-run eateries and classrooms. It is the story of women who turned a changing local economy into lasting opportunities for their families—and, in many cases, for others in their communities.

A Cart That Became a Business

Every morning, Arul Selvi arranges fresh fruit outside the shop her family now owns.

Years ago, the business operated from a cart by the roadside. Income was uncertain and every day depended on passing customers.

As manufacturing expanded across Sriperumbudur, so did her customer base.

“The growth of industries in our area has contributed significantly to our business,” she says.

“Employees from Samsung Chennai plant and other factories visit our shop regularly, helping us build a steady customer base.”

Today, alongside her husband’s water-can supply business, the family earns enough to educate all three of their children—an aspiration that once seemed out of reach.

One Tailoring Shop. Three Businesses.

A few kilometres away, the rhythmic sound of sewing machines fills Veni’s tailoring centre.

When she started her shop 12 years ago, customers were few. As the region developed into a major manufacturing hub, demand steadily increased.

“Many employees from Samsung Chennai Plant regularly visit my shop, and women from nearby communities are among my regular customers,” she says.

What began as a small tailoring unit has grown into an Aari embroidery centre and a beauty parlour, creating employment for three women.

“I started this business with my mother’s support,” she says. “Today, it feels rewarding to see it creating opportunities for others too.”

Meals That Support Ten Families

For Daisy Rani, progress can be counted in the number of people working in her kitchen.

When she opened her small eatery nearly a decade ago, she employed just one person.

Today, ten people earn their livelihood there.

“Many workers from the plants nearby and people from the surrounding community visit us every day,” she says. “Their continued support has helped our business grow steadily.”

The Opportunity One Generation Missed

Industrial growth has transformed livelihoods, but it has also changed something even more fundamental—access to education.

When Gowri was growing up, the nearest school was too far away for her family to continue her education.

“I wanted to study further, but my parents were worried because the school was too far away,” she recalls. “I had to stop my education.”

Determined that her children would have different opportunities, she watched Sriperumbudur change around her.

Today, her son and daughter attend a good school just three kilometres from home.

“Factories coming here brought development. My children have opportunities I never had.”

Dreaming Bigger

That transformation in Tamil Nadu is perhaps best reflected in the aspirations of the next generation.

Kowsalya, a Class XII student, dreams of becoming financially independent while pursuing her passion for drawing.

“My parents often tell me how difficult education was when they were young,” she says. “Today, school is close to home, and I want to continue studying and build a career of my own.”

Her ambitions reflect the confidence of a generation growing up in a region transformed by opportunity.

Thirty Years of Growing with India

As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, the company’s journey has been defined by long-term investments in manufacturing, innovation and people of Tamil Nadu.

For nearly two decades, Samsung’s manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur has been part of the region’s remarkable transformation. While the factory produces millions of products for consumers in India and around the world, its impact extends far beyond the production line.

The presence of a thriving manufacturing ecosystem in Chennai has helped local businesses grow, enabled women entrepreneurs to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthened household incomes and expanded opportunities for the next generation.

Like thousands of women across Chennai’s manufacturing belt, the stories of Arul Selvi, Veni, Daisy Rani, Gowri and Kowsalya reflect this broader transformation. They remind us that the true impact of manufacturing is measured not only in products built or technologies created, but also in lives changed, aspirations realised and communities strengthened.

As Samsung marks three decades of growing with India, these everyday stories stand as a powerful reminder that lasting progress extends well beyond the factory gates—and that some of the company’s most meaningful contributions are reflected in the people and communities growing alongside it.

As Samsung expanded its operations, a strong network of suppliers, logistics providers and manufacturing partners grew alongside it, creating opportunities for local businesses, strengthening industrial capabilities and raising manufacturing standards across the region.

Today, the Sriperumbudur belt is home to a thriving ecosystem of component manufacturers and service partners, many of whom have steadily enhanced their capabilities to meet global benchmarks in quality, efficiency and innovation.

United Industries Plastic Private Ltd is one such example. What began as a modest operation with two manufacturing units has grown into a six-unit enterprise across Chennai, with one of its newest facilities dedicated to supporting Samsung’s requirements.

Reflecting on the journey, Keerthi Mahalingam, Director, United Industries Plastic Private Ltd, said the partnership has been about much more than business.

“Samsung treats us as partners rather than suppliers. Over the last 13 years, there has been significant knowledge transfer, from manufacturing practices to organisational systems. It has helped us evolve into a stronger company.”

As Samsung strengthened its manufacturing presence, it also introduced rigorous quality systems and workplace practices that encouraged suppliers to build stronger internal capabilities. For many partners, aligning with these standards became an opportunity to improve their own operations.

Mahalingam said Samsung’s structured approach, ranging from visitor management systems to employee welfare initiatives, has inspired partners to adopt similar practices.

“Samsung has set a very high benchmark in terms of processes, employee care and ESG practices. Their yearly audits encourage continuous improvement. We have adopted several of these practices in our own facilities, including structured transport systems and enhanced workplace standards.”

He added that Samsung’s presence has played an important role in the broader industrial growth of the region, with new supplier units being established and existing businesses expanding operations closer to the manufacturing hub.

“The entire belt has developed over the years. Many companies have grown alongside Samsung.”

The transformation is equally evident at Vignesh Polymers India Private Ltd, which has been operating in Sriperumbudur since 2007 and has partnered with Samsung for nearly 15 years.

Selvakumar, Plant Head, Vignesh Polymers, said one of the defining strengths of the partnership has been Samsung’s structured and forward-looking approach to manufacturing.

“With Samsung, planning is very systematic—from purchase schedules to delivery timelines. This helps us plan our own operations better and invest with confidence.”

Over the years, this collaborative approach has enabled suppliers to strengthen capabilities across planning, purchasing, quality and research and development.

“We have learned extensively across planning, purchasing, quality and R&D. As Samsung continues to introduce new and premium products, we also upgrade our capabilities to match global quality expectations,” he said.

This shared focus on continuous improvement has enabled partners to participate in increasingly sophisticated manufacturing processes while building expertise that supports long-term growth.

Beyond industrial capability, the expansion of the manufacturing ecosystem has also contributed to improvements in infrastructure and employment across the region.

Selvakumar said the transformation over the past decade has been significant.

“From around 2015 to today, the difference is very clear. Infrastructure has improved, roads are better, transport connectivity has strengthened, and more businesses are operating in the region. Employment opportunities have increased for local communities.”

Samsung’s contribution to the region also extends beyond manufacturing through community engagement and social initiatives that support long-term development.

“Samsung maintains strong relationships with nearby communities and schools. These initiatives also help strengthen the ecosystem,” he said.

As Sriperumbudur continues to evolve into a globally-competitive manufacturing hub, the relationship between Samsung and its partners reflects a shared commitment to capability building, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

For companies across the ecosystem, the journey of growth continues.

“Based on Samsung’s evolving requirements, we continue to develop ourselves,” Selvakumar said.

From enabling suppliers to expand operations and strengthening manufacturing capabilities to raising benchmarks in quality and workplace systems, Samsung’s presence has helped shape an ecosystem that continues to generate opportunities and contribute to the region’s economic development.

The story of Sriperumbudur’s rise is therefore not just one of industrial expansion, but of collaboration. Here long-term partnerships, shared ambition and continuous improvement have helped build a resilient manufacturing ecosystem that continues to power growth.

Samsung India brought its flagship innovation programme, Solve for Tomorrow, to Erode this week, equipping more than 230 students at Kongu Engineering College (KEC) with design thinking skills aimed at transforming ideas into solutions for real-world challenges.

The workshop forms part of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, Samsung India’s nationwide innovation programme that encourages young people aged 14-22 years to develop technology-driven solutions addressing challenges in artificial intelligence, health and education, environmental sustainability, and sport and technology.

Unlike conventional innovation programmes that focus primarily on product development, the Design Thinking Workshop encouraged students to first understand the people and communities they seek to serve, identify genuine challenges, and validate whether proposed solutions address real needs.

For many participants, the workshop offered a new perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Innovation is not just about thinking of an idea. It starts with understanding a real person’s problem and identifying what kind of solution would genuinely help them,” said Ragamrithika, a first-year engineering student at KEC.

Mohammad Atif, who had attended a previous Samsung Solve for Tomorrow session, said the workshop helped him better evaluate potential solutions and strengthened his interest in entrepreneurship. “It helped me understand what makes a solution truly relevant and impactful. After attending the session, I feel more motivated to begin my entrepreneurship journey,” he said.

The Erode workshop reflects Samsung’s continued efforts to nurture grassroots innovation and strengthen India’s future innovation ecosystem. Over the past four editions, more than 5,000 students from Tamil Nadu have participated in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow initiatives, while the programme has reached over 8,000 students across southern India.

This year, Samsung is conducting Design Thinking Workshops across 100 cities nationwide, providing young innovators with exposure to problem-solving frameworks, mentorship opportunities and innovation methodologies used by entrepreneurs and startups globally.

The programme will culminate with the top four winning teams receiving incubation grants worth INR 2 crore at FITT, IIT Delhi, enabling them to further develop and scale their innovations. Participants will also receive mentorship, training and prototyping support as they progress through the competition.

By bringing innovation and design thinking directly into classrooms and campuses, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow continues to empower young Indians to move beyond ideas and create solutions capable of addressing real societal challenges.

Applications for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 remain open until July 3, 2026.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow applicants from all over the country cheer during a bootcamp at IIT Delhi

At Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, innovation begins with empathy — a deep understanding of challenges faced by people around us. Across four seasons of the programme, young innovators from Tamil Nadu have demonstrated how technology, when combined with purpose, can create meaningful social impact. Over the last four years, more than 5,000 students from Tamil Nadu have engaged with the programme, reflecting the growing spirit of innovation and problem-solving among the state’s youth.

From improving accessibility for persons with disabilities to enabling children with autism to learn through play, these young changemakers are transforming ideas into solutions that have the potential to improve lives and communities.

Through mentorship, design thinking workshops, and access to an innovation ecosystem, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has enabled students to move beyond ideation and develop prototypes that address real-world challenges. The journeys of innovators from Tamil Nadu show how the right guidance and encouragement can help young minds turn curiosity into meaningful action.

One such example is Team TouchPad from Chennai, comprising Malathi M, C Ganesh Ram, and Vishwa Kumaresh. Inspired by the everyday challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in accessing digital content, the team is developing a tactile display pad that converts images and text into Braille in real time. Using an electromagnet-based mechanism supported by machine learning, the device enables users to interpret written material through touch.

Team TouchPad from Chennai, comprising C Ganesh Ram, Malathi M and Vishwa Kumaresh

“We wanted to create something that gives visually impaired individuals greater independence in their daily lives. Access to information should never be a barrier,” said the team members. “Solve for Tomorrow gave us the confidence to think bigger and build a solution that can create real social impact.”

Designed to be cost-effective, portable and user-friendly, the tactile display pad aims to seamlessly integrate into daily life. The team also envisions a mobile application that can capture images of printed text and instantly convert them into Braille patterns, enabling visually impaired individuals to independently access information.

Accessibility and inclusion are also at the heart of innovations emerging from Team Sports4Autism from Chennai, which is developing a hybrid application that gamifies therapy for children with autism through sports-based engagement.

“Children learn best when they enjoy the process. We wanted to make therapy more interactive and motivating, while also helping parents track progress in a simple way,” said the team.

Similarly, Team Unity from Coimbatore is exploring multiple solutions that leverage technology to make participation more inclusive. Their ideas include gamified therapy tools for autistic children, platforms that help discover hidden sporting talent, and voice-enabled chess applications for visually impaired individuals.

Ramya M, Samyuktha S and Rubika Nataraj from team Unity won the competition in 2025

“Our focus has always been on creating opportunities for people who are often left out due to accessibility barriers. Technology can truly become an equaliser when designed with empathy,” said the team members.

“Over the years, young innovators from Tamil Nadu have developed meaningful solutions for real community challenges, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted culture of education, engineering and problem-solving. As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, programmes such as Solve for Tomorrow reflect our continued commitment to contributing to Tamil Nadu’s larger innovation pipeline by supporting students and young changemakers with the exposure, mentorship and incubation needed to help move promising ideas beyond the drawing-board and into the real world,” said Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR and Corporate Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia.

Addressing healthcare accessibility through innovation, Team Wiremasters from Coimbatore has worked on a device that supports therapeutic movement for individuals living with muscular dystrophy. The solution seeks to assist patients in performing essential physical exercises that help maintain mobility and muscle function.

“We realised that many patients struggle with access to regular therapeutic support. Our idea is focused on making rehabilitation assistance more accessible and affordable for families,” the team said.

Healthcare inclusion is also central to the work of Team BC Labs from Madurai, founded by identical twins Raman R and Lakshmanan R. Their innovation focuses on a non-surgical adhesive hearing device designed as a safer and more affordable alternative to traditional hearing implant procedures.

The identical twins from Tamil Nadu – Raman R and Lakshmanan R – developed a non-surgical adhesive hearing device that is cheaper than traditional hearing aid implants.

“We wanted to develop a solution that removes fear and complexity from hearing treatment, especially for children and families who may not have access to expensive procedures,” said Raman and Lakshmanan. “If technology can improve confidence and communication for even one child, it can change an entire future.”

Together, these innovators represent a growing community of young problem-solvers from Tamil Nadu who are using technology to address real societal challenges. Their ideas reflect a strong commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunity — demonstrating how innovation can create meaningful change when rooted in empathy.

Through initiatives like Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung continues to nurture young talent by providing structured mentorship, exposure to industry experts, and platforms that enable ideas to evolve into real-world solutions. The programme encourages participants to think critically about societal challenges and develop technology-led approaches that can create lasting impact.

From accessibility tools that enable independent living to therapy solutions that encourage participation and confidence, these innovations reflect how young minds from Tamil Nadu are building a more inclusive and equitable future.

As these ideas continue to evolve, they carry with them the aspirations of young innovators who dared to imagine a better tomorrow — and found the support to bring those ideas to life.

Building on the momentum of the past four seasons, Samsung has now launched the fifth edition of Solve for Tomorrow in India. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 invites Gen Z innovators aged 14–22 to develop technology-driven solutions that address pressing societal challenges across four themes — AI Living, Health & Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Sport & Tech. Applications for the programme are open from May 7 to July 3, 2026.

Through Solve for Tomorrow, Samsung continues to nurture a new generation of socially conscious innovators who are leveraging technology not just to imagine a better future, but to actively build it.

Apply here: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026 Application

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced that 5,000 students in Tamil Nadu have been trained and certified under its flagship Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme, reinforcing its commitment to building a future-ready workforce and supporting the state’s growing electronics and innovation ecosystem.

SIC equips students with industry-relevant, future-tech skills across high-demand domains — Artificial Intelligence (2,200), Coding and Programming (1,700), Big Data (600) and Internet of Things (500) — enabling them to transition more effectively from education to employment. In addition, it focuses on soft skills to boost employability, combining technical training with modules on problem-solving, communication and workplace readiness.

Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly one-fourth of the 20,000 youth trained across India under the programme, underlining the state’s importance as a key hub for technology, manufacturing and skilled talent development. Notably, 71% of the participants in Tamil Nadu are women, reflecting strong progress in expanding access to technology education and enabling more women to participate in the digital economy.

Training and certification were conducted in collaboration with leading institutions across the state, including University of Madras, Anna University, Queen Mary’s College (Chennai), Mohamed Sathak AJ College of Engineering (Chennai), and KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology (Coimbatore).

“India’s growth story is being shaped by its young, skilled workforce, with Tamil Nadu playing a leading role in this transformation. As technology reshapes industries, the need for a future-ready workforce is more critical than ever. Building digital skills at scale, while ensuring inclusion, will be key to sustaining India’s growth momentum. As Samsung completes 30 years in India, we are enabling youth to develop capabilities aligned with the evolving needs of the global economy through Samsung Innovation Campus,” said Shubham Mukherjee, Head of CSR and Corporate Communications, Samsung Southwest Asia.

The programme continues to expand its reach, training and certifying 20,000 youth across the country. Nationally, SIC has witnessed around 48% women participation, reflecting Samsung’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable technology ecosystem. The programme is implemented in collaboration with ESSCI and the TSSC through accredited training partners.

SIC, together with initiatives such as Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung DOST, is helping strengthen India’s digital skilling ecosystem—empowering young innovators to learn, build, and shape the future through technology. Marking 30 years in India, Samsung continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing education and digital inclusion.

Strengthening its community engagement in Tamil Nadu’s key manufacturing corridor, Samsung India today announced a new skill development initiative for women in the Sriperumbudur region, aimed at enhancing livelihood opportunities and supporting local economic participation.

Samsung has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children, India) to roll out a structured vocational training programme for 200 women from Santhavellore and Sirumangadu villages in Kanchipuram district.

The 12-week programme, scheduled between April and September 2026, will provide hands-on training in professional tailoring, followed by government-recognised certification. Participants will also receive sewing machines upon completion, enabling them to pursue income-generating opportunities and micro-entrepreneurship.

“Tamil Nadu has consistently been a leader in industrial development and skill creation. At Samsung, we are proud to contribute to this vision by enabling women in the Sriperumbudur region with skills that can drive self-reliance and entrepreneurship. Our focus is on creating long-term, sustainable impact at the grassroots, aligned with the state’s broader goals of inclusive economic growth,” said SH Yoon, President, Samsung Chennai Plant.

The programme is part of Samsung’s broader CSR commitment in India and reflects its continued focus on inclusive development in regions where it operates. Sriperumbudur, one of Tamil Nadu’s fastest-growing industrial hubs, has seen significant transformation over the years, and initiatives like these aim to ensure that local communities benefit from this growth.

By investing in grassroots skilling and women’s empowerment, Samsung is contributing to Tamil Nadu’s broader vision of inclusive industrial development and strengthening the socio-economic fabric of communities around its manufacturing ecosystem. Marking 30 years in India, Samsung continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing education and digital inclusion.

Before sunrise each day, buses roll out across villages and townships around Kancheepuram district, carrying hundreds of women to one of Tamil Nadu’s largest electronics manufacturing hubs — the Chennai plant of Samsung India.

On the shop floor, amid assembly lines and testing units, these women are doing more than building devices. They are building futures.

This year marks three decades of Samsung’s presence in India — a journey often measured in products, innovation and exports. But inside its Chennai facility, another milestone is visible: the growing number of women shaping the factory floor and redefining what manufacturing looks like in Tamil Nadu.

For Kavya, part of the employee relations team, the plant is a space of growth. With a background in psychology, she works closely on employee well-being initiatives.

“Here, I’ve learned and evolved,” she says. “Colleagues become friends. The workplace feels like family.”

For Sangeeta, who has spent around a decade at the plant, the turning point was transportation. Long commutes once meant stress and safety concerns. Company-arranged door-to-door buses changed that.

“It gave me confidence,” she says. “When travel is safe, you can focus on your work.”

[L-R] Sangeetha and Rekha from Samsung Chennai Plant have spent over a decade there.

Across Tamil Nadu’s industrial corridors, safe commuting has quietly become a key enabler for women entering manufacturing roles.

Then there is Rekha from the Visual Display line who has been with Samsung Plant in Chennai for last 18 years. Her motivation is simple: her mother.

“I want to give her everything she ever wished for,” she says.

Two decades of stable employment has allowed her to support her family with dignity — a sentiment echoed by many first-generation industrial workers in the region.

As Tamil Nadu strengthens its position as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse, the image of the factory floor is evolving. In Sriperumbudur, women are present all across production, quality control and operations — contributing not just to output, but to communities.

Three decades into its India journey, the company’s progress in Chennai is reflected not only in scale, but in stories of independence, safety and self-belief — one shift at a time.

[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, in partnership with the United Nations Global Compact Network India (UN GCNI), today launched ‘DigiArivu – Empowering Students Through Tech’, an education programme aimed at strengthening digital and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Tamil Nadu.

Through this initiative, Samsung will upgrade school infrastructure, enable STEM and digital learning, train teachers, and support holistic student development across 10 government schools in Kancheepuram and Ranipet districts of Tamil Nadu — benefiting over 3,000 students. As part of DigiArivu, Samsung will deploy a multi-layered, community-centric model to transform the learning ecosystem in tier-2 and tier-3 districts.

The programme has been designed based on UN GCNI’s research with state government-run schools, inputs from Samsung employees in the Sriperumbudur manufacturing plant and community members in the region to ensure that interventions address real on-ground needs.

The key focus areas include upgrading the existing learning ecosystem in schools through Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) designs followed by providing equipment for promoting digital learning among school children. The programme will introduce activity-based learning on STEM themes and teacher-training sessions. Samsung will also provide sports kits and set up libraries with Tamil, English and competitive-examination books. It will offer career guidance to Class 12 students, provide education expert speaker series and health awareness camps for the school children. The programme also entails celebration of important days and events at schools along with community members.

The launch event organized at The Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram, was graced by Thiru Dr. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Honourable Minister for School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu; and District Collectors of Kancheepuram and Ranipet; reaffirming the state’s commitment to strengthening STEM education in the state and advancing digital inclusion.

“Samsung has always believed that technology becomes truly powerful when it expands access, opportunity, and confidence for young people everywhere. Through DigiArivu, we are creating a digitally-enabled learning environment that will help students in Tamil Nadu build future-ready skills, strengthen their curiosity, and participate fully in India’s fast-evolving digital economy. Our focus is not only on introducing technology, but on empowering teachers, uplifting communities, and ensuring that every child — regardless of background — can benefit from quality digital education. DigiArivu is another strong step in our ongoing commitment to ‘Powering Digital India’ and nurturing India’s future talent pipeline,” said SH Yoon, President, Samsung Chennai Plant.

“DigiArivu reflects what meaningful collaboration can achieve when business and society come together with a purpose. At UN Global Compact Network India, we are proud to partner with Samsung to advance STEM learning and digital access for children in government schools in Tamil Nadu. This initiative truly embodies the spirit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — ensuring that no child is left behind in India’s digital future,” said Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UN GCNI.

In addition to DigiArivu, Samsung continues to strengthen youth skilling in Tamil Nadu through the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme. Under SIC, this year, Samsung is training 5,000 students in Tamil Nadu in high-demand future-tech domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, and Coding & Programming. The programme is being implemented in partnership with leading training and skilling organisations, enabling students across Tamil Nadu to gain industry-relevant technical skills and enhance their employability. Through SIC, Samsung is helping young learners in the state, prepare for careers in a rapidly developing future tech economy.