Karnataka Government Partners with Meta Inc for Digital Safety and AR-VR Training Programme
The Karnataka government has taken a significant step towards promoting digital education and online safety by partnering with Meta Inc to launch the Digital Nagarik and AR-VR Skills Programme. This initiative aims to train over one lakh teachers and 10 lakh students in the state by 2025.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration in India, Karnataka signed a Letter of Intent with Meta in November 2023 to kickstart this two-year partnership. The programme will focus on providing digital awareness training to school and PU students aged 18 to 24, with a special emphasis on augmented reality and virtual reality (AR-VR) skills.
The initiative will cover 100 colleges and universities across the state, starting with key districts like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Dakshin Kannada. Meta will train and deploy master trainers who will then educate students on digital safety and AR-VR skills.
IT, BT, and Science and Technology Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted the importance of instilling a mindset of vigilance and responsibility in students through this programme. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond just teaching basic online safety practices, aiming to equip students with skills that will benefit them for life.
The Digital Nagarik Programme will feature workshops, seminars, and hands-on activities conducted in both Kannada and English. The launch event saw the participation of 500 individuals from various departments, including nodal officers and teachers who will serve as master trainers.
To ensure the success of the programme, key officials from nodal departments underwent a 60-minute interactive training session to enhance their skills and knowledge in navigating the rapidly evolving technological landscape effectively.
With this ambitious initiative, Karnataka is setting a precedent for other states in India to prioritize digital education and online safety, ultimately empowering students to thrive in the digital age.
