Image Courtesy : www.cuo.ac.in

The Central University of Odisha has introduced a tribal digital literacy programme. The programme has been launched to improve digital literacy and skills among tribal youth. The University has launched the programme at its campus in association with FIDR (Forum for Integrated Development and Research), Bhubaneswar.

The Centre will be operational at the University at Koraput's CTWCD (Centre for Tribal Welfare and Community Development) to impart training on digital skills to the youth belonging to OBC, ST, SC, and other marginalised communities in the Koraput district.

Under the initiative, the programme will commence with basic computer courses and will also offer higher programs in future. The aim of the Tribal Digital Literacy Centre is to impart computer knowledge to the students of marginalized communities who fall under the age group of 16-25 years. The training will be provided for the 03-year duration and it will be free of cost.

The Vice-Chancellor In-charge of the University Prof Sharat Kumar Palita formally inaugurated the centre along with Charudatta Panigrahy, the Founder and Chairman of FIDR. Palita said that the introduction of the programme is a landmark decision as it offers hope for the Koraput district's marginalized sections to be digital literate which is a great step towards self-employment.

Guha Poonam, the Director of ST, highlighted the rich tribal art, culture, tradition, craft, and education. Poonam, while appreciating the efforts of the University to provide digital education, hoped for the programme to be a game changer in the development of the tribal communities. She also highlighted various projects and schemes for the integrated development of tribals and assured support from the state government as well, whenever needed.

Local MLA Raghuram Padal, while highlighting the importance of education, said, "The University is successfully creating the aspiration level of people in the Koraput region on higher education. The majority of students of this region took admission in CUO to get their higher education".

Source: PTI