Pune: The NCL Skill Development Center at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, has been inaugurated in its newly renovated and state-of-the-art form, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to creating a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of industry and the nation.
The revamped NCL Skill Development Center was inaugurated by Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, in the presence of Dr. Vinay Kumar, Nodal Scientist for the CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiative (CSIR-HRDC, Ghaziabad), who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
Representatives from Envalior Ltd., Pune, including Dr. Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Dr. Sainath Vaidya, and Mr. Hemant Patel, also attended the event. Their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support enabled the modernization of the facility.
Other dignitaries present included Dr. Rajesh Gonnade, NCL Skill Nodal Officer, and Mrs. Kanika Goel, Controller of Administration (COA), CSIR-NCL.
The NCL Skill Development Center operates under the Skill Development Program (SDP), which is implemented through the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative (CSIR-ISI).
The programme aims to provide world-class, high-end skilling within India’s national skill ecosystem by leveraging CSIR-NCL’s scientific expertise, experienced faculty, and advanced research infrastructure to create an industry-ready workforce.
The modernization of the NCL Skill Development Center was made possible through CSR support from Envalior, a global leader in sustainable and high-performance engineering materials.
The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of CSIR-NCL and Envalior towards strengthening industry-relevant scientific skill development in India.
The newly upgraded NCL Skill Development Center has been developed as an integrated facility to centralize and strengthen all technical training and skill development activities at CSIR-NCL.
The modern infrastructure includes smart classrooms equipped with interactive displays, a digital podium, a dedicated computer classroom, an advanced digital conference room, analytical laboratories, and a centralized Skill Development Program office, creating an enabling environment for high-quality technical training.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashish Lele said the enhanced facility would provide valuable hands-on exposure to advanced scientific instrumentation, strengthen industry-relevant competencies, and foster innovation among trainees.
Dr. Vinay Kumar appreciated the upgraded infrastructure and noted that it aligns with the vision of the CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiative to enhance scientific skills and build sustainable technological capacity across the country.
Representing Envalior, Dr. Nileshkumar Kukalyekar highlighted that the company has been investing in and implementing several socially relevant initiatives over the years, with skill development being one of its key focus areas.
The inauguration of the revamped NCL Skill Development Center marks a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts of CSIR-NCL and Envalior, further strengthening CSIR-NCL’s commitment to bridging academia and industry through quality skill development, capacity building, innovation-driven training programmes, and workforce readiness.
The partnership demonstrates how public research institutions and industry can work together to build capabilities that support India’s innovation and manufacturing ambitions.
CSIR-NCL expressed sincere appreciation to Envalior and Dr. Nileshkumar Kukalyekar for their generous CSR support in establishing the revamped NCL Skill Development Center.
The newly created training infrastructure, equipped with advanced learning facilities, is expected to benefit students, researchers, and industry professionals for years to come while strengthening CSIR-NCL’s role as a leading centre for scientific and industrial skill development in India.
