Kalaburagi district administration signs MoU with The Hindu Group for AI-powered English Language Training under STEP programme

In a significant initiative to strengthen employability and communication skills among youth, the Kalaburagi District Administration on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with THG Publishing Private Limited, publishers of The Hindu, Business Line, Frontline and Sportstar, for the implementation of the STEP Blended English Learning Programme across the district.

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner B. Fouzia Taranum and general manager (STEP Division) of The Hindu Group Sai Krishnan G. exchanging memorandum of understanding in Kalaburagi on Friday.
| Photo Credit:
ARUN KULKARNI

The MoU was formally exchanged by B. Fouzia Taranum, Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi and Sai Krishnan G., general manager, STEP Division of The Hindu Group at the former’s office on Friday.

Among those present were Preeti Chandrashekhar, Joint Director of Social Welfare; Abdul Azeem, Joint Director, District Industries Centre and member-secretary, Kalaburagi Next Foundation Trust; Nagubai Suryawanshi, District Skill Development Officer; Nagaraj Y. Phatak, Assistant Manager, The Hindu Group; and other senior officials.

The collaboration aims to enhance English language proficiency and professional communication skills among students enrolled in skill academies and technical institutions supported by the District Administration. The initiative is designed to equip young learners with industry-relevant language competencies, thereby improving their career readiness, confidence and long-term employability prospects.

Under the MoU, the students will be enrolled in a 50-hour self-paced online learning module over a period of three months. The programme will begin with a diagnostic assessment to determine each learner’s proficiency level, followed by structured modules customised for each student covering Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW) skills, along with grammar, vocabulary and employability-oriented communication.

In addition to the online component, the programme will include structured trainer-led classroom intervention sessions for up to 12 weeks, focusing on general communication, workplace English, interview preparation, group discussions, presentation skills and professional writing. Learners who successfully complete the course will be eligible to appear for the STEP certification examination and receive a proficiency certificate highlighting their English competency level.

THG Publishing Private Limited, through its STEP division, will design and deliver the training modules, provide digital access to enrolled learners, conduct standardised proficiency assessments and extend academic and technical support throughout the programme. Orientation sessions will also be conducted for students and institutional administrators to ensure effective roll-out.