Genesis of
BSDU
Genesis of the Bhartiya Skill Development University
The Founders:
Late Dr. Rajendra Kumar Joshi and Mrs. Ursula Joshi
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Joshi, was born on 13th September 1934 in Dundlod, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. He did his schooling from Sadulpur- a small town in Churu District of Rajasthan. Later on, he pursued his Master's degree in Pharmacy at BITS Pilani and completed the same with a Gold Medal in 1958. Further he accomplished his Ph.D. in 1968 from the University of Komensky, Slovakia. He worked as a Research Associate and later as Professor (Dozent) in Medicinal Chemistry and Structure Activity Relationship at the Federal Institute of Switzerland and guided many students to successfully attaining their Ph.D. degrees.
Dr. Joshi founded a company named Fumapharm AG in Switzerland. This company, under the able and dynamic leadership of Dr. Joshi, attained huge success on the front of innovations and developed novel and unique cures, for serious diseases such as Psoriasis and Multiple Sclerosis. This secured huge commercial success and acclaim for him and his Company.
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Joshi married Mrs. Ursula Joshi in the year 1989. Mrs. Joshi did her compulsory school, followed by four additional years to obtain the university entrance qualification (Matura) in Switzerland. Thereafter she completed further six years classes in pharmacy at the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). She finished her education with the degree of Master Pharmacist. Being a firm believer in self-initiative and entrepreneurship, she started her own medium size pharmacy in Littau (Luzern). The initial journey of her fledgling business venture was tough and demanding, but by her sheer grit and determination, she proved that an indomitable spirit and strong resolve always lead to success. Just within a span of few years, her pharmacy achieved considerable annual turnover and she earned the wide admiration as a successful entrepreneur and business-woman.
In addition to her professional activities, Mrs. Joshi has been socially active in community contribution and public service. She was an elected member of parliament for eight years in the municipality of Littau (Luzern) for two consecutive terms, and she held the office of actuary for the Lucerne Pharmacists' Association.
Mrs. Ursula Joshi and Dr. Rajendra Kumar Joshi are the residents of Switzerland. Mrs. Ursula Joshi suffered a grave personal loss when Dr. Joshi left for his heavenly abode on 1st October 2019; but despite this enormous personal and emotional setback, she has continued the social, educational and philanthropic work envisioned by her and her beloved late husband, with phenomenal endurance, resilience and utmost commitment.
Mrs. Joshi and late Dr. Joshi analysed the reasons for the Swiss economy being one of the best in the world. They found that the main reason for this was the perfected skill development scenario in the country. They decided to get the Swiss Dual system of skills development into India. The "Dual" here means learning theory in vocational school and practical training on job in industry.
They formed the 'Rajendra and Ursula Joshi Foundation' (JCF) in 2006 in Wilen, Switzerland and started working on bringing the Swiss Dual System of skills training to India. They tried to convince the Indian industry and Government to support this system, but met with limited success. Therefore, they decided to set up a state-of-the-art institute in Jaipur to showcase the benefits of the dual system of education. This thought of having their own skill training institute led them to initiate a project called Bhartiya Skill Development Campus (BSDC) Jaipur with basic skills training in Polymechanics.
The campus was inaugurated by Mrs. Vasundhara Raje, the then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, on 23rd April 2016, and on the very same day an MOU was also signed between Government of Rajasthan (GOR) and BSDC for establishment of Bhartiya Skill Development University (BSDU) Jaipur.
Rajendra and Ursula Joshi Foundation (JCF), is a charitable foundation to aid and support educational and charitable causes in India as well as at global level. JCF also acts as the Knowledge Partner of BSDU. It uses its resources to modify the Swiss system to suit Indian environment; develops educational content; recruits human resources from Europe; sources machinery and equipment; and supports the University in fulfilment of its objects and educational needs.
The Rajendra and Ursula Joshi Charitable Trust (RUJCT), Jaipur, is a public charitable trust, which was created for establishing and sponsoring a pure skill development university at Jaipur. After completion of necessary formalities, the Government of Rajasthan issued an Ordinance on 29th December 2016 to establish Bhartiya Skill Development University (BSDU) under the aegis and sponsorship of RUJCT. This Ordinance was later converted into The Bhartiya Skill Development University, Jaipur, Act No. 3 of 2017, Late Dr. Joshi was the founding Chairperson of BSDU.
Mrs. Ursula Joshi is the Chairperson of BSDU, which is a unique pure skill development University in India. It is the first of its kind University, promoting Skill Development through actual practical skills training based on the concept of "One Machine - One Student". The University is functioning on the model of Swiss Dual System of Training for imparting world class skills training with the ultimate aim of awarding UG, PG and Ph.D. degrees to the successful students.
The University Grants Commission (UGC), after its detail enquiry and satisfaction, has included BSDU in its "List of Universities", established as per Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956.
