Saab Education Initiative DEEP Starts In Andhra Pradesh
Saab India’s CSR initiative, the DEEP program (Diploma Employment Enhancement Program) for Indian College Engineering students began near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh with the first set of 25 students walking in towards a brighter future. The Saab Diploma Employment Enhancement Program is designed to bridge the gap between industry’s requirements and the Indian technical education system. The first pilot classes in collaboration with Indian Technical Institutes in Gudivada and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh started on 24th December 2012. The informal opening was a success with media coverage in local newspapers as well as broadcasted interviews in the local news channels. Now students and teachers look forward to the formal inauguration that will take place in the beginning of January in Vijaywada.
Classroom training and on -the-job training
The six-month Saab DEEP program is designed to help engineering students learn and hone the right mix of technical and soft skills while they are still in college. Students of different branches of the diploma will follow different, specifically designed tracks. The programs will have an initial focus on mechanical engineering. Subsequently, the programs will focus on aviation engineering and automotive engineering. The curriculum involves classroom training and a three-months on- the-job training and internship. The initial training of teachers will take place in Sweden. The aim with the program is to get job placements for the students in partnering Indian companies and Swedish companies in India. Saab has shortlisted institutions for collaboration for the program in Gudivada and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
Both places were shortlisted due to the number of Polytechnic / Diploma and Engineering Courses available and taking into account the number of students graduating every year in these two regions. Saab is already active in Andhra Pradesh with on-going cooperation with Mahindra Satyam and establishment of the Saab India Technology Center in Hyderabad.
The class will be imparted in a 3-month theory/practical module and 3-month on-the-job training, the training will involve a mix of instructor-led training, workshops, hands-on practice in the labs, assignments and mini-projects and assessments.The Saab DEEP program will create industry relevant competencies like ability to apply knowledge; design skills; problem solving skills; technical competence; ability to work in multidisciplinary teams; communication skills; sensitivity towards global, societal and environmental issues; sensitivity towards ethical and professional issues and readiness for lifelong learning. During the course there will also be interaction between both teachers and students in India and relevant counterparts in Sweden.
Creative education collaboration
One part of Saab’s corporate responsibility is to provide opportunities for creative development of competence and skills. This important work is done in cross-border collaboration with universities, education organizations, governments, customers and industry companies all over the world. The education solutions are a broad spectrum, from basic education to university master level and high-tech research programs. Now running programs are e.g: The Diploma Education Enhancement Program in India and The Swedish-Brazilian Research and Innovation Centre (CISB), a innovation arena for high-technology Research & Development projects.