Dhanbad: A Center of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to empowering tribal communities has been inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, with the backing of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) of the Government of India. The center has secured a project valued at Rs 1.92 crore from MoTA for a ‘Capacity Building Program for Basic and Advanced Level Information Technology and Computer Training for Tribals in Jharkhand.’
Under the leadership of Professor Rashmi Singh, Assistant Professor of the Department of Management Studies and Industrial Engineering, the CoE will concentrate on formulating capacity-building and skill-enhancement initiatives for tribal populations in Jharkhand. These initiatives aim to boost their job prospects, income levels, livelihoods, and overall economic status.
Functioning as a nexus for collaboration among academia, industry, and government, the center intends to further the welfare of tribal communities in Jharkhand. This endeavor resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of integrating tribal communities into the mainstream societal framework of India.
Acknowledging the significance of social inclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has designated November 15 as Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas, marking the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Moreover, the CoE will forge partnerships with various industries in Jharkhand, including BCCL, CCL, Tata Steel, SAIL, NTPC, JSPL, Adani Power, Tata Power, among others, to create employment avenues for trained tribal students.
Professor Rashmi Singh emphasized that the first project under the center, focusing on information technology and computer training, has secured funding of Rs 1.92 crore. The program will initially cater to tribal students in grades 10 to 12 at Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Jharkhand, followed by students from Ashram schools and government schools in the subsequent phase.
The CoE team, led by Professor Singh, has already embarked on visits to several Eklavya Model Residential Schools in Jharkhand to kickstart the program. Prof. Singh is also engaged in a similar project funded by the Department of Science and Technology, which focuses on enhancing the economic well-being of Scheduled Tribe communities in Jamtara District, Jharkhand, through game theoretic and operations research techniques.
