GJEPC lays foundation stone for IIGJ in Udupi

It is the first such institute in South India
GJEPC lays foundation stone for IIGJ in Udupi

The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council is setting up the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery in Udupi, Karnataka. For this, the foundation stone laying ceremony was recently held in the presence of Hon’ble Minister of State (IC), Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Shri. Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India; and Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, Member of Parliament.

This is the first such institute in South India, and is expected to give an impetus to the gem and jewellery sector in the area.

The GJEPC is setting up the Institute in association with the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.

“Across the globe, the majority of the best pieces of jewellery are handmade,” said Smt. Sitharaman speaking on the occasion. “Global retail giants like Cartier, Boucheron or Van Cleef & Arpels command premium prices for their handmade jewellery. India, whose forte lies in crafting the most intricate handmade jewellery should capitalise on this opportunity by building the necessary infrastructure. By setting up institutes like the IIGJ and common facility centres, GJEPC once again has come forward to further equip the Indian gems and jewellery sector to become globally competitive. I am confident that the IIGJ in Udupi will aid in providing exciting career opportunities in this sector to the youth of the surrounding regions.”

Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC said: “IIGJ in Udupi is one of the ambitious projects taken up by GJEPC to tap the unutilised potential of youth in this region thereby giving a significant boost to Indian gem and jewellery sector. This institute strongly embodies Honourable Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and much professed emphasis on design and handmade jewellery. It is closely aligned with the vision of Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Honourable Minister for Commerce & Industry to establish a one-of-its-kind, full-fledged jewellery institute at Udupi with a strong focus on design. This is yet another step towards the pursuit of ‘Skill India’.”

Shri Dwivedi noted that, “With over 100 retail stores engaging a workforce of over 5,000 people, Udupi boasts of a rich jewellery lineage. By setting up IIGJ here, GJEPC envisions to productively use the talent available here by providing required training and guidance. GJEPC has joined hands with NID, Ahmedabad to ensure that the best of jewellery and manufacturing courses are offered to the enrolled students.”

The Institute will provide training for individuals aspiring for a career in the industry and will also offer courses for skill development of the industry’s present workforce. The focus areas of the institute will be on - new Skilling for developing fresh skills in candidates who have no prior domain learning/working knowledge of jewellery, - up-skilling for upgrading the skills of candidates who have prior domain learning and are already working in the sector and providing a design and technological orientation to the local industry to be competitive in the Indian and world markets.


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