New Delhi: As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrives with almost half of his entire cabinet for the government consultations, Germany’s efforts to deepen its engagement in India are visible at all levels. At government or private level, the indications of Indian support to strengthen Germany’s workforce will be up on the agenda. Hence, Germany’s private sector is intensifying its cooperation to develop the skill and education sector. A clear example of that is the new initiative by the Siemens foundation which has joined hands with Pratham Education Foundation to launch the “STEM Education for Innovation “Experimento India” initiative. This project is designed to enhance the learning experience for students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects by providing free Open Educational Resources (OER), in line with India’s National Education Policy 2020.
“Experimento India” aims to bridge the digital learning gap, especially for students from low-income communities, by offering internationally recognized educational materials tailored for Indian learners. These OER resources will be integrated into Siemens Limited's "Project Jigyaasa" (curiosity), which operates in more than 170 government schools across India.
The launch event in New Delhi comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the Indian-German Government Consultations at the Asia Pacific Conference. This highlights a shared commitment between both nations to promoting education that fosters sustainable development and social inclusion.
Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
Dr. Nina Smidt, CEO of Siemens Stiftung, emphasized the importance of localized educational content: "Having worked in Africa, Europe, and Latin America for over 15 years, we have learned that students engage best with resources that reflect their own context. Our digital learning materials, based on our Experimento program, have been adapted for the Indian education system in collaboration with local experts and communities."
The program is designed to break down language barriers, offering content in regional languages. This localization ensures that students, particularly those from underserved areas, can learn STEM subjects in a way that resonates with their experiences.
Supporting India’s Skill Development Mission
Siemens Limited India is contributing to India's national education and skill development goals through this initiative. Sunil Mathur, CEO of Siemens Limited, highlighted the importance of skilling India's young population: "Our strategy is aligned with the Indian government’s Skill India mission, focusing on a lifecycle approach to education that prepares students for the challenges of the digital era."
The learning resources provided by Experimento India include a variety of multimedia materials such as video-based activities, lesson plans, worksheets, and quizzes. Pratham Education Foundation, one of India's leading non-governmental organizations, will oversee the implementation of the project.
Dr. Madhav Chavan, Co-Founder of Pratham, underscored the need to shift learning beyond traditional textbooks: "We hope to drive policy changes that emphasize hands-on STEM education, equipping students with practical skills that will serve them in both life and work."
Advancing India’s Digital and Sustainable Future
Experimento India is in line with India's National Education Policy 2020, encouraging holistic and inquiry-based learning that enables students to solve real-world problems. By enhancing their 21st-century skills, the project equips students to navigate the complex challenges posed by global trends like digitization and climate change.
Siemens Stiftung and its partners believe this initiative will help position India as a global leader in both education and technology. The project’s focus on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills aligns with India's broader aspirations of building robust digital and space infrastructures.
As part of the launch, Dr. Smidt participated in a panel discussion at the Indian Institute of Technology, discussing the future of work in the digital age and highlighting Indo-German collaborations in technical education, including Siemens India’s role in promoting industry-relevant training.
This collaboration reflects a shared Indo-German commitment to advancing education, technological innovation, and sustainable development, providing Indian students with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.