Adobe with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to launch Digital Disha Programme

Adobe has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NSDC and DGT under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the launch of Adobe Digital Disha - a programme focused on helping vocational institutes leverage the power of Adobe Spark to integrate creativity and digital literacy into classrooms and curriculum, encouraging students to develop essential skills needed for jobs in the digital era. Adobe Digital Disha is expected to touch the lives of over 1 million students and teachers across India by the year 2020.

With Adobe Digital Disha, AdobeSpark with premium features, a fun and frictionless storytelling Creative Cloud application that runs in any web or mobile browser, is now available free of charge for education and skill development. This will enable students to quickly and easily express themselves via graphics, web stories and video to creatively approach their assignments as well as develop digital portfolios. Teachers can easily create digital lesson plans and tutorials using Spark applications. Adobe is also making significant investments to conduct capacity building sessions regionally for teachers and students alike. Adobe Digital Disha is aimed at driving synergies in creative thinking and technology based learning, which is set to be crucial towards helping India’s young minds stand apart in the future workforce.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, says, “The rapid evolution of technology and innovation are changing the fundamentals of skills needed to thrive in today’s digital era. While a section of jobs are becoming redundant due to technology, newer jobs are being created at double the pace – bringing forward the need of the youth to acquire a new breed of skillsets that will help them leverage the opportunity and maximise their own potential. Today, it is commendable to see major IT companies like Adobe join us in this mission drive creative skills and digital proficiency among the masses of India”.

Mala Sharma, VP & GM, Creative Cloud Product Marketing and Engagement, Adobe, says, “Creativity cuts across communication, collaboration and critical thinking, so that people can push the boundaries of expression and have meaningful impact. I see Digital Literacy as a key pillar within the Government of India’s Digital India and Skill India initiatives. The importance of fun and easy-to-use creativity tools inside and outside the classroom has never been as crucial in the vocational and educational landscape as it is today. With the Adobe Digital Disha program, Adobe Spark will go a long way in enhancing digital literacy a core pillar of learning, thereby opening up a range of new possibilities for students and educators in India to express themselves and learn critical skills needed both in the classroom and when they enter the workforce”.

Adobe had earlier released the findings of its research that indicated the intersection of creativity and technology as key to the success of India’s Gen Z students. The Adobe study, which surveyed 500 Gen Z students and 200 teachers in India, concluded that a staggering 95 percent of students and 91 percent of teachers see creativity as essential to Gen Z students’ future careers. The study also found that 94 percent of students and 90 percent of teachers view technology tools playing a key role in Gen Z’s long-term career preparedness.