IIHMR University Expands Global Reach Through New Partnership with the University of Manchester

Through this MoU, both institutions will co-develop courses, host research events, and promote international learning models in line with India’s NEP 2020 goals.

The 12th National Conference on Disability (NCD) and the 12th National Abilympics Skill Competitions officially commenced today at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI), New Delhi. Organised by Sarthak Educational Trust in collaboration with the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), TPCDT, and IndusInd Bank, the platform marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward disability inclusion, skill development, and systemic reform.
Following four successful regional Abilympics held across Chennai, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Guwahati, the two-day national finale brings together 59 finalists from over 500 regional competitors across 20 states. These finalists will compete in a range of vocational skill categories such as ICT (Engineering Design, Desktop Publishing, Photography), Crafts (Basket Making, Crochet, Painting & Decoration), Hospitality (Cake Decoration, Patisserie, Cleaning Services), and Services (Hairdressing, Massage). The winners will represent India at the 11th International Abilympics 2027 in Finland globally recognised as the “Work Skill Olympics for Persons with Disabilities.”

Dignitaries present on Day 1 included Dr. Vineet Joshi, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC); Shri Rajiv Kumar, Former Chief Election Commissioner; and Shri Himal Tewari, CHRO and Chief CSR & Sustainability, Tata Power. Emphasising the urgency of structural reform, leaders underscored the need for collaboration between government, corporates, and civil society to accelerate inclusion and livelihood opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Dr. Vineet Joshi noted, “Many things I witnessed today were true eye-openers. They reminded me how little we, as a society, are doing for this vast population and how much faster we can grow when we move together. The real inability lies not with Persons with Disabilities, but within our systems that fail to provide them equal opportunities.”

He further urged all sectors to step forward with urgency, acknowledging Sarthak’s life-cycle model as a benchmark for national replication. Calling for dedicated infrastructure, Dr. Joshi advocated for the approval of Sarthak’s proposed Global University for Disability Studies, inclusive education, assistive technology, and skilling.
Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General of NAAI and Founder & CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, addressed the structural gaps in India’s disability ecosystem, including a 70% shortage of rehabilitation professionals, 50% deficit of special educators, and fewer than 60 accessibility auditors. He formally announced the upcoming submission of the proposal for Deemed-to-be University status for the Sarthak Global University to the UGC.

With its presence across 2,000 locations, including 60% in rural areas, Sarthak has already trained and placed over 1.25 lakh PwDs and reached 5.3 million individuals through awareness and early intervention efforts.
The event also saw the launch of MartSarathi, an e-commerce interface designed to enhance accessible shopping experiences for PwDs. The theme for this year’s National Conference on Disability is “Sustainable Development Goals and Disability Inclusion,” with sessions spanning inclusive employment, assistive technology, universal design, and media narratives.

As the competitions continue into Day 2, the spotlight remains on the upcoming announcement of national winners who will prepare to represent India at the global stage in Finland 2027. With widespread participation from corporates, civil society, and government institutions, the event reinforces India’s commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future for every Person with Disability.

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