Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) Programme initiated by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, India (MSDE) on 25 October 2021.

MGNF is a Certificate Program in Public Policy and Management. It has been designed at the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI). The Program is an opportunity for young, dynamic individuals to contribute to enhancing skill development in the country.  The two-year Fellowship seeks to combine classroom sessions (Academic Module) with an intensive field immersion at the district level (District Immersion Module) to create credible plans and identify barriers in raising employment, economic output, and promoting livelihoods in rural areas.

The inaugural event at IIMV was attended by 75 fellows from 14 different states.  Prof. Chandrasekhar M, Director IIM Vishakhapatnam, in his inaugural address, highlighted how the Fellows could play a gainful and productive role as enablers of skilling and could realize their career aspirations with the support of the Institute. The Coordinator (Administration) Prof. Neena Pandey, Coordinator (Academics & Research) Prof. Amit B Chakrabarti and the Program Chair Prof. M Shameem Jawed congratulated and welcomed the participants and spoke on leveraging the strengths and reach of IIM Visakhapatnam in these two years. 

The event followed the nationwide Digital Inauguration and launch of the MGNF Program across nine IIMs by Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan - Hon’ble Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, GoI. He deliberated that the Skill India Mission under the guidance of the Hon’ble PM is attaining great traction, creating livelihoods, and transforming lives, and contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat.