Dhanbad: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for Tribal Development has initiated a capacity-building program focused on Basic Level Information Technology and computer training for over 1500 tribal students from Classes X, XI, and XII across seven Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Jharkhand.
The schools include EMRS Kathijoria, EMRS Godda, EMRS Ranchi, EMRS Lohardagga, EMRS Dumka, EMRS West Singhbhum, and EMRS Bhagadih.
The program was officially launched online this afternoon at the conference hall of the Department of Management Studies & Industrial Engineering. The event saw the presence of Professor JK Pattanayak, Professor Sandip Mandal, Professor Niladri Das, and Professor Rashmi Singh.
Professor Rashmi Singh, Assistant Professor at the Department of Management Studies and Industrial Engineering and coordinator of the CoE, which was established with a Rs 1.92 crore grant from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, highlighted the significance of this first project aimed at enhancing the employment, income, livelihood, and economic wellbeing of Jharkhand’s tribal population.
“The course, which will span one year and be divided into two 13-week semesters, will be delivered in both online and hybrid modes,” explained Professor Singh, who also serves as the Principal Investigator of the project. “Reading material in Hindi will be provided at the start of the program, with additional materials in the Santhali language available in school libraries for student reference.”
The program includes two theory classes and four practical/hands-on sessions each week, conducted by institute experts. Weekly assignments will be given to test understanding, and the EMRS schools’ computer/ICT teachers will coordinate closely to ensure effective completion.
Professor Singh emphasized the importance of regular feedback from students, principals, class teachers, and computer/ICT teachers to monitor progress and address challenges. Mid-semester and end-semester exams will be conducted in physical mode to assess learning outcomes, with special sessions arranged for students identified as needing extra support.
“Daily attendance will be monitored to ensure student participation,” said Professor Singh. “We will also conduct pre- and post-impact assessments to gauge the program’s effectiveness.”
This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering tribal students in Jharkhand through education and skill development.
