The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
KALINGANAGAR, JAN 24, 2024
A collaborative effort between Tata Steel Foundation and HP Inc., ‘Kaushalyan’ – a digital mobile skill development lab, was inaugurated at Tomka High School, Danagadi in Jajpur district on Wednesday. The event was officiated by Odisha Rural Development Minister Pritiranjan Gharai in the presence of officials from Tata Steel, Tata Steel Foundation, HP India, and the Society for All Round Development (SARD).
‘Kaushalyan’ aims to bring computers on wheels and extend the benefits of technology to students, teachers, and local youth. It will also establish connections with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic institutions. Students and youth benefiting from ‘Kaushalyan’ will gain exposure to national portals such as DIKSHA, SWAYAM, eSkill India, and more.
The mobile computer lab is set to revolutionize learning for students from class 6th to 12th and youth from underserved backgrounds by offering market-relevant digital skills, aligning with the vocational education agenda of the National Education Policy of 2020.
Addressing the students, Minister Pritiranjan Gharai emphasized the equal importance of skilling alongside schooling for achieving success. He commended the efforts of Tata Steel Foundation, HP, and SARD for their initiative.
Captain Amitabh, Head of Skill Development at Tata Steel Foundation, shared his thoughts on the collaboration, stating, “This partnership reflects our commitment to bridging the digital skill development gap in underserved areas. The new initiative with HP World On Wheels aims to reach approximately 400 school children and youth annually from in and around Kalinganagar and Bamnipal, focusing on schools lacking computer labs or sufficient teaching staff for computer education.”
‘HP World on Wheels’ is part of HP’s commitment to digital education. Under this initiative, HP provides self-contained, Internet-enabled digital education and learning labs in a public-private partnership model to drive digital education, entrepreneurship training, and other citizen services in small towns and rural India. The lab will enable individuals to access IT literacy programs and connect to various government programs.
The ‘Kaushalyan’ initiative employs a sustainable and inclusive model of education using information technology. As part of the initiative, HP has provided ‘HP World On Wheels’, the high-tech bus, as part of its CSR engagement, while Tata Steel Foundation will support the project’s operating expenses. SARD (Society for All Round Development), a reputable NGO, will implement the project on the ground, piloting it in Jajpur and Keonjhar districts of Odisha.
