As a part of its CSR activity, Mercedes-Benz signed an MoU with Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, for conducting its flagship CSR endeavor- Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) program. The automotive giant has been supporting the government’s Skill India initiative through various activities but this is Mercedes Benz’s first ever association with Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha to commence the coveted one-year Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics course.
Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, Pune was established in 1896 by the great visionary and social worker Bharat Ratna Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve to provide education and shelter to widows and girls. The Samstha is relentlessly working on charities since last 122 years with the objectives of upliftment, emancipation and education of women. The majority of the students approaching the institution for education belong to the rural areas and financially weaker sections of the society.
Speaking on this occasion, Santosh Iyer, Vice-President-Customer Service & Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz India said, “At Mercedes-Benz we pride ourselves in the diversity of our employees and capitalise on the different experiences, skills and perspectives they have. Back in 2005, Mercedes-Benz was one of the first companies to make diversity management a key part of the corporate strategy.In continuation of that strategy, we are extremely proud of our collaboration with an all-women’s college in India. With this association, Mercedes-Benzis extending its commitment to promote diversity and open the doors of automotive mechatronics for women aspirants. Recently we launched “She’s Mercedes” a global initiative by Mercedes-Benz to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women in all walks of life. As the leaders in the luxury automobile industry, we want to break the stereotype associated with women in this sector and want more women to join the workforce.”
Mr. Iyer further elaborated, “On the occasion of 72nd Independence Day in India, with this important initiative, we want to encourage, empower and equip aspiring women candidates to independently choose a career in automobile industry. Initiatives like these will provide appropriate platform to aspiring women to gear up for a bright career in the automotive industry. The percentage of women in this industry is low right now, but we believe it has immense potential to have more inclusion from women work force in the foreseeable future. Mercedes-Benz Mechatronic course is a significantly advanced and industry oriented course aligned with the latest technological advancement in the domain of automotive engineering. With an all-women Mechatronics course, we are now confident that more women candidates would actively seek to hone their skillsets and decide to join the automotive industry. At Mercedes-Benz, we are witnessing an increase in the number of women customers as well in our portfolio. In fact 10-12% of our annual sales comes from women and it is an increasing trend.”
Dr. P.V.S. Shastry, Secretary of MKSSS, commented, “Tie-up with an iconic brand like Mercedes-Benz is a matter of pride for us. Women students today want to explore industries which were earlier considered male dominant. Platforms like these provide an opportunity to the women who are keen on making a career in this automotive industry. The rigorous training and quality of education will ensure our students have a bright career in the industry and also help break the current stereotype in the automobile industry.”
Salient features of the MOU is as follows:
- This is Mercedes-Benz’s first ever tie-up with a women’s college in India as a part of their CSR initiative
- Mercedes-Benz, continues its contribution to the ‘Skill India’ initiative of Government, to develop highly skilled resources for the automotive industry
- The MOU was signed between Mercedes-Benz India and Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha on 13th August, 2018 at Cummins College Campus, Karvenagar in Pune in the presence of Mr Santosh Iyer, Vice President – Customer Service and Corporate Affairs, Mercedes-Benz India, Smt. Smita Ghaisas, President, MKSSS and Dr. P.V.S. Shastry, Secretary of MKSSS
- Designed by the Mercedes-Benz Global Training Center, the highly coveted 1 year ADAM course focuses on self-learning methodology and helps candidates upskill themselves with the latest technological advancements in the world of automobiles
- Advanced Diploma in Automotive Mechatronics (ADAM) program by Mercedes-Benz is conducted in collaboration with Government and private educational institutions and now with an all-women college
- The students of MKSSS College of Engineering for Women will be the beneficiaries of this MoU
- The ADAM Course will fulfil the requirement for superlative service in the automotive sector
- This course has been conducted since 2006 in government institutions in Pune, Aurangabad and Thiruvananthapuram Trained a total of 540 students through the Mechatronics course across these locations
- Only 20 students who qualify will be eligible to take the course every year
- Successful and aspiring women candidates can carve a successful career in automotive industry, by not only becoming trained technicians but also Customer Service consultants interacting with customers
- Mercedes-Benz recently launched specially crafted program- She’s Mercedes which celebrates the accomplishments and successes of women who made a mark
