Governor Shukla emphasized the vital role of both education and skill development in ensuring the social and economic progress of the nation. “Education drives skills, and skills enhance the value of education. Only by combining the two can society move forward—and when society progresses, so does the nation,” the Governor said while addressing the valedictory session of the three-day ‘EduSkills HR Summit 2025’ in Shimla today.
The summit, hosted by the EduSkills Foundation, brought together a diverse group of academic leaders, including Vice Chancellors, Principals, and Directors, as well as over 100 HR professionals and corporate leaders from across the country.
Highlighting the transformative impact of emerging technologies, Governor Shukla noted that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming integral to all sectors. “We are at a critical juncture where traditional foundations meet new technological advancements. AI is part of this new construction, but its use must be approached with caution and responsibility,” he remarked.
He congratulated EduSkills Foundation for successfully organizing the summit, calling it a meaningful step toward nation-building. The Governor stressed that in an age marked by global competition and rapid innovation, the true wealth of a nation lies in the knowledge, skills, and creativity of its youth.
With over 65% of India’s population under the age of 35, he said the country must focus on making its youth not only educated but also skilled and employable. “Skill development is not a choice anymore—it is a necessity. It forms the foundation for the future of our youth, the success of our industries, and the prosperity of the nation,” he added.
He also praised the efforts of EduSkills in launching digital internships, Centres of Excellence, and modern training programs that are empowering lakhs of students across India with real-world exposure and employable skills.
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, Chairperson of the South Asian University under the Ministry of External Affairs, and Dr. Raghav Prasad Dash, Advisor at AICTE and Joint Secretary at the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, who also shared their insights on the evolving education-skills-employment landscape.
Earlier in the session, Dr. Shubhajit Jagdev, Founder and CEO of EduSkills Foundation, welcomed the Governor and provided an overview of the foundation’s mission and national initiatives.
