India : Assam Skill University Project

Education / Technical and vocational education and training - Tertiary

Assam is the largest state in the North Eastern Region of India in terms of economy and population and occupies a strategic position for various regional cooperation programs in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Assam's economy registered high growth rates from fiscal year (FY) 2016 to FY2019 (12.7% on average) and contributed to 61.2% of the region's gross domestic product (GDP) in FY2019. Despite its abundant natural resources and higher proportion of young population (under 40 years of age) than the rest of India, Assam has yet to unleash its growth potential. In FY2019, the state's GDP per capita (

92,533) ranked 28th among the 33 states and union territories. The structure of the economy has been slow to change, with the primary sector (agriculture and mining) still accounting for 27.8% of the state's GDP in FY2019. Assam is landlocked and largely rural, and has underdeveloped infrastructure, and its economy is dominated by low value-added, natural resource-based products and is poorly integrated with regional and global value chains. Its manufacturing sectors are undiversified and small (11.4% of GDP in FY2019). Studies conducted by ADB indicate that aggressive infrastructure and industrial development specifically corridor-based industrial development is necessary for Assam to grow its economy. However, they identify limited availability of a skilled workforce as one of the constraints to this strategy.

Assam was home to about 24.8 million people aged 15 years and above (49% women) in 2018, of whom more than 11.4 million (46%) were in the labor force (84% in rural areas), and 10.6 million (93% of the labor force) were employed. The share of nonfarm employment grew steadily, from 32% in 2005 to 44% in 2012, and to 77% in 2018. Gender disparities in Assam's labor force are stark: as of 2018, the labor force participation rate for women was 13% compared to 78% for men, the unemployment rate was 27% for women compared to 4% for men, and 30% of women were in farm employment compared to 22% of men.

Fewer prospects for socioeconomic development have propelled out-migration for jobs and education, further exacerbating shortages of skills for manufacturing and services. Assam is prone to natural hazards such as cyclonic storms and floods, which are likely to intensify because of climate change. The incidence of poverty remains higher than the national average and has worsened amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Moreover, educational attainment was lower than the national average in 2018: 82% of the population aged 15 years and above received education only up to grade 10 and below or did not receive education at all (84% of women, and 79% of men), while 13% attained grades 1112 (11% of women and 26% of men), and barely 5% completed higher education (4% of women and 6% of men, footnote 6). TVET and higher education in Assam are undersupplied: as of FY2019 there was 1 industrial training institute (ITI) per 1 million population (compared to 11 in India); 15 colleges per 100,000 population aged 1823 (compared to 28 in India); and 18.7% gross enrollment ratio in higher education for the population aged 1823 (compared to 26.3% in India), 18.3% for the female population (compared to 26.4% in India), and 19.1% for the male population (compared to 26.3% in India). The lack of supply is exacerbated by the inability of TVET and higher education institutions to operate to their full capacity and accept all qualified students (para. 7).

Decent employment for all ensured

Inclusive and sustainable infrastructure and industrial development accelerated

Industry-aligned and flexible skills education and training system strengthened in Assam

University management and operating systems, business models, and faculty development and management systems developed.

Environmentally sustainable and climate resilient university campus and facilities developed.

Industry-aligned and flexible skills education and training programs designed and delivered.

Capacity to manage and support entrepreneurship, applied R&D and technology transfer developed.

Access to professional development and quality skills education and training resources in Assam, other states, and neighboring countries improved.

Output 1: The recruitment of consultants to support the development of university management and operating systems, business models, and faculty development and management systems is in process.

Output 2: The contracts for the boundary wall and design and construction of ASU Campus and facilities have been awarded. The detailed design and drawings of the boundary wall and ASU campus are being updated and finalized. Construction will start in late September/October 2022.

Output 3: Progress in the design and delivery of skills education and training programs will be assessed during review missions in 2023-2024.

Outputs 4 and 5: Partnership opportunities with internationally renowned institutions and industry/employers are being explored. Progress will be assessed during review missions in 2023.