The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS). As per the MoU, IIT Kanpur will provide IIS mentorship for the next five years. The MoU was inked in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In order to keep up with the development and follow our Honorable Prime Minister's direction of "Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas - Sabka Viswas and Sabka Prayas", it is important to create a new bridge.

Technology yields Knowledge and Skill. In a modern environment, it is essential that these meet, so those without access to quality education must acquire modern skills, while those with knowledge should develop an ecosystem that meets the needs and aspirations of society. To support the Defence Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh, IIS also exchanged MoUs with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Dassault Aircraft Services India (DASI).

Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said, "This collaboration between IIT Kanpur, Indian Institute of Skills Kanpur, HAL India, and Dassault Aircraft Services India, marks a significant chapter towards shaping the future of skill development and empowering India’s youth. For the first time ever educational institutes, skilling institutions and industry are coming together to synergize efforts to certify and future-proof youth".

The Indian Institute of Skills was conceptualized by the Prime Minister during his visit to Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and the decision of the establishment of IIS was taken in the cabinet meeting held on 24th October 2018. to set benchmarks and promote the best practices for skill development. Prof. Subramaniam Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “IIT Kanpur continuously strives to make education more accessible breaking the barrier of socio-economic inequity and effective to meet the rising demands of high-skill technology. In a unique effort to expand our horizon, we have agreed to the proposal of mentoring the Indian Institute of Skills. We intend to mentor IIS for at least five years and hope to make it self-sustaining once we establish all the laboratories, engage skilled manpower and course works for training”.

IIT Kanpur will mentor IIS during its formative years by developing laboratory infrastructure, creating a suitable course curriculum, and offering joint certificate and diploma courses. Center for Deep-Skill Training and Research (CDSTAR) will be created at IIT Kanpur to complement the training at IIS Kanpur. Six Deep-skill laboratories, including Noise and Vibration Lab (NVH), Advanced Control Systems Lab (ACSL), Advanced Robotics Lab (ARL), Semiconductor Packaging Lab (SPL), Medical Imaging Lab (MIL) and Drug and Pharma Lab (DPL) will be housed at CDSTAR to enhance experiential learning. Skilled professionals from IIS will be integrated into the entrepreneurship ecosystem at the SIIC and Technology Park of IIT Kanpur.

The foundation stone for IIS Kanpur was laid by PM Narendra Modi on Dec 19, 2016. The building covering an area of 16000 sq. meters is now ready for lab development at the NSTI complex. The complex will house 12 state-of-the-art labs for skill development under the four categories: Machining and Manufacturing (Aerospace Technology, Welding, NDT, Subtractive Manufacturing, Automobile, Sustainable Urban Mobility), Digital Technology (Digital Tween, Additive Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics, Phygital Design), Information Technology (Building Metaverse, Cybersecurity, Networking, Smart Systems, Data Analysis), and Special Purpose Technology (Smart Textile, Leather, Agriculture 4.0, Automobile, Sustainable Urban Mobility).