Bangalore, 20 July

State’s Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) will establish a vocational training unit in Namibia, marking potentially the first Indian government knowledge agency on African soil.

The move came after Namibia selected the GTTC as its technical knowledge and vocational training partner.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalising the collaboration was recently signed by D. YK Dinesh Kumar of GTTC and Anil Shinde, General Secretary of the Africa India Economic Foundation (AIEF), in the presence of Dr. Sharanaprakash R Patil, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship, and Livelihood, at Vikasa Soudha.

Patil described GTTC as a robust model for Africa’s industrial skilling needs, highlighting its potential for “seamless adaptation to African contexts.” The partnership is expected not only to build skilled talent in Namibia but also to create new employment avenues for GTTC graduates across Africa and open additional markets for State-based MSMEs. “This is about empowering Karnataka’s soft power through education diplomacy,” the minister remarked.

AIEF officials underscored Namibia’s appeal for such a partnership, citing its rich natural resources—including uranium, diamonds, gold, and rare earth minerals—as well as its rapid development in marine, energy, agribusiness, logistics, and tourism sectors.

With a five-decade legacy, GTTC operates over 20 centres across State, training thousands each year in precision toolmaking, CNC operations, mechatronics, and robotics.