HCL Technologies Foundation hosted the MyE-Haat Conclave 2025 at Noida Haat on December 12, 2025, celebrating India's rich handicraft heritage while facilitating dialogues to strengthen the sector through technology, innovation, and enhanced market access. The conclave brought together artisans, industry stakeholders, and representatives from government, civil society, and academia for an afternoon of discussions, product showcases, and cultural performances.

MyE-Haat Initiative Impact and Reach

The HCL Foundation's MyE-Haat initiative has demonstrated significant impact in empowering India's artisan community. The program operates across multiple states and clusters, creating direct market access for traditional craftspeople.

The initiative enables artisans to become entrepreneurs by eliminating middlemen and providing direct access to customers through the MyE-Haat portal, supporting the government of India's vocal for local vision.

Conclave Highlights and Key Speakers

The MyE-Haat Conclave 2025, now in its third edition, featured prominent speakers addressing critical aspects of artisan empowerment. TRIFED Managing Director Shri M. Raja Murugan delivered the keynote address on "Culture, Commerce & Community: Vision for Artisan Empowerment & Social Impact." Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, spoke on "Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Craft Revival - Building Sustainable Livelihoods through Innovation & Market Linkages."

The conclave's theme "Woven Stories: The Looms of Legacy" guided two panel discussions:

• Panel 1: Interwoven Dialogues on Culture, Craft & Commerce: Turning Heritage into Economic Power
• Panel 2: Unlocking Entrepreneurship & Market Access for Artisans through Technology

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

HCL Foundation has established meaningful partnerships to expand the initiative's reach and impact. The foundation collaborates with the Tamil Nadu Department of Prisons and Correctional Services to provide employment opportunities to prison inmates, enabling them to produce and sell various products through the platform.

"Through the MyE-Haat initiative, HCL Foundation is aiming to strengthen the value chain of the Indian handicraft sector. MyE-Haat empowers artisans to thrive in today's competitive global markets by guiding them from product inception to market connectivity, enhancing their craftsmanship, product showcase and digital literacy," said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, SVP, Global CSR, HCL Tech and Director, HCL Foundation.

India's Handicraft Sector Overview

India's handicraft sector represents a significant economic force with substantial social impact. The sector provides livelihood to over 7 million people, with women comprising over 56% of the artisan workforce.

The foundation's comprehensive approach addresses multiple aspects of artisan development, including craftsmanship enhancement, digital literacy, product showcase capabilities, and market connectivity, creating a sustainable ecosystem for India's traditional craft heritage to thrive in modern markets.

HCL Technologies , a leading global technology company, has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with The University of Western Australia (UWA) to develop globally accessible micro-credential programs in AI and cybersecurity. This initiative marks UWA's first global micro-credential offering under its Enterprise Education ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Program Focus: AI and cybersecurity
• Learning Approach: Hands-on, project-based learning
• Key Areas: Machine learning, natural language processing, ethical hacking, and coding
• Certification: Globally recognized, co-branded certifications

Meeting Global Demand for Advanced Digital Skills

The partnership aims to address the growing global demand for advanced digital skills. By combining UWA's academic strength with HCLTech's industry expertise, the programs are designed to offer practical, industry-relevant education.

Program Structure and Benefits

Significance of the Collaboration

This partnership represents a significant step in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry readiness. It aligns with the growing trend of universities partnering with industry leaders to create more relevant and practical educational offerings.

Global Reach and Accessibility

The micro-credential programs are designed to be globally accessible, potentially opening up advanced learning opportunities to a wider audience. This aligns with the increasing demand for flexible, specialized education options in the tech sector.

Implications for the Tech Industry

For the tech industry, particularly in AI and cybersecurity sectors, this collaboration could mean:

1. A larger pool of skilled professionals
2. More practical, industry-aligned skill sets among graduates
3. Potential for faster integration of new talent into the workforce

As the demand for AI and cybersecurity expertise continues to grow globally, initiatives like this could play a crucial role in addressing skill gaps and fostering innovation in these critical fields.