Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog today announced their partnership with Snap Inc. to drive Augmented Reality (AR) skilling among the Indian youth. Snap Inc. is a global camera company and Snap’s camera plays a transformative role in how people experience the world around them, combining what they see in the real world, with all that’s available to them in the digital world.

Over a two-year timeframe, Snap Inc is expected to train over 12,000 teachers affiliated with the Atal Tinkering Labs on Augmented Reality, enabling the reach of the program to millions of students affiliated with ATL’s network of schools.

Snap Inc also announced its partnership with the Atal Incubation Centers (AICs) to support the Indian start-up ecosystem with AR advertising bootcamps, Ad credits and other opportunities.

Sharing his thoughts, Mission director Atal Innovation Mission Dr Chintan Vaishnav said that “At AIM, we’re committed to leveraging our network of state-of-the art Atal Tinkering Labs to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Augmented Reality is the future - given its varied applications in a rapidly digitizing India. We’re excited to utilize Snap Inc’s expertise in Augmented Reality to create a cadre of GenZ students that are skilled in this futuristic technology.”

The partnership kick started today, on International Women’s Day, with the launch of a nationwide Lensathon (AR making hackathon), throughout the month of March. The hackathon will be focused on increasing participation of girls and young women over 13 interested in AR.

Uthara Ganesh, Public Policy Head, India at Snap Inc also expressed her views and said, “At Snap, we are excited to be building the future of AR and that future depends strongly on the talent that we nurture, encourage and empower. We are grateful to Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog for giving us the opportunity to share our expertise in AR with the Atal Tinkering Lab’s wide network of schools, and skill students in Augmented Reality through Lens Studio. We at Snap are excited to help the Atal Tinkering Labs in its mission to create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India, and help India become an Augmented Reality hub.”

As a part of the Lensathon, Snap will be hosting special workshops aimed to introduce young women in India to AR and skills that will be necessary to navigate the digital economy of the future. Workshops are open to participants aged 13 years and upwards and will take place at 16 all-women and 5 co-ed educational institutes across India. The workshops will be hosted by Women Lens Creators, with advanced sessions led by members from the Snap Lens network for women across India to build AR experience in themes representing the women community.

Augmented Reality skilling expands via public-private partnership enabling teacher training and student-focused Lensathon with female participation emphasis. Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog partnered with Snap Inc. to deliver nationwide AR skilling by training ATL-affiliated teachers, extending AR learning to students, and supporting start-ups via AIC-led AR advertising bootcamps and ad credits; the launch included a Lensathon and targeted workshops to increase participation of girls and young women aged 13 and above, led by Women Lens Creators and Snap Lens network members.