Aizaw, April 25: The Mizoram University and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, ranked the 5th Best University in India by NIRF 2022 Rankings, have joined hands to launch science, technology and innovation (STI) hubs in the districts of Aizawl and Serchip in Mizoram.
This was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, these would promotesustainable livelihoods through capacity building, skill development for tribal communities, awareness against substance abuse, digital literacy, and awareness about nutrition and preventive health to help improve the overall well-being of the people of Mizoram.
The initiative was launched at an event titled “Mizoram Conclave on C20: Education & Digital Transformation,” organized by the Civil 20 Working Group on Education and Digital Transformation (EDT) and hosted by the two varsities.
The Conclave saw two panel discussions on “Education under C20,G20 and alignment to National Education Policy 2020” and “Digital Transformation under C20/G20.”
Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Mizoram was the Chief Guest at the event and Dr. Renu Sharma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Mizoram, delivered the keynote address. Addressing the Mizoram Conclave working group on Education and Digital Transformation.
The Governor of Mizoram Shri K. Haribabu noted that the the Government of India has ensured that sustainable development and inclusive growth are the focal points of our G20 initiatives and the C20 Engagement Group, representing the world’s civil society and NGOs, is one of the most crucial channels to address these issues.
He said a modern digitized society is theorder of the day. In India, in the last nine years, digital infrastructure has undergone a sea- change.Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji has recently released a Vision Document that details India’s plans to develop and launch 6G, which is the 6th Generation telecom services.
This is happening within six months of the roll-out of 5G services. By 2030, India will have 6G services. I’m happy to state that India had the fastest 5 G rollout in the world. The Bharat 6G Vision Documentprovides an enabling environment for innovation, capacity building and faster technology adoption in the country.
This is the REAL digital transformation that we have been waiting for. Earlier, we used to calculate the per capita cost of living which included roti, kapda aur makaan, which means food, clothing and shelter.
However, in a modern digitized society, these parameters have changed because our basic and fundamental needs have gone beyond these three things. Today, need to calculate the index of cost of learning. And, in a modern society, the cost of learning is parallel to the cost of living.
The cost of learning includes tools of learning and acquiring knowledge.
The Hon’ble Governor commended Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the EDT’s work as a C20 initiative for their study and recommendation of practical skill development and education models that are equitable andaccessible for underdeveloped, developing, and emerging economies.
He said India has become a knowledge hub and destination. Therefore, the true index to measure an economy is not its GDP, but its GDKP! The Gross Domestic KNOWLEDGE Potential.
The ‘K’ factor, which is the knowledge factor, is critical, and India is far far ahead of others in the knowledge factor. Education and knowledge, coupled with the use of technology to enhance education and knowledge, are the true measure of a successful and growing nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Dr Renu Sharma said that the launch of the STI hubs in Mizoram under the C20 banner is a historic moment as we work towards improving tribal livelihoods, education, and sustainability in the state. She however noted the various challenges that the state of Mizoram is facing in terms of mass digitalization of education.
She urged the central government to ensure that there was greater devolution of funds for the state to enhance digital tools that could help in wider dissemination of education. She was happy to note that the state has a high literacy percentage and women literacy rate is almost ninety percent, almost at par with male literacy rate.
Mizoram University Bice Chancellor Shri Pravakar Rath said that Mizoram as a state faces several challenges such as high unemployment rates, low ease of doing business, and rising concerns of substance abuse among young people.
Health indicators also highlight the high prevalence of anaemia in children, adolescent girls and women, and the growing incidence of non-communicable diseases, including various types of cancers. The STI hubs being established by the two varsities to address these challenges are highly welcome.
Professor Lalhnilawma of the Mizo University said that the integrated Sustainable Livelihoods model which the two hubs will help implement in Mizoram is expected to improve social and financial capital through a combination of technology transfer, skills training, digital literacy, community empowerment, and capacity building, impacting the four districts: Aizawl, Kolasib, Mamit, and Serchhip.
It will offer the Mizo people livelihood empowerment, skills and capacity building, documentation of indigenous knowledge systems and healing practices, and a knowledge resource and databank.
Prof Prema Nedungadi, C20 working group coordinator on Education and Digital Transformation and also the Chairperson of the School of Computing at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham underlined the importance of the STI hubs being set up and noted that the overall aim of these was to provide digital literacy to rural population who have little access to digital aids and train peer ambassadors to provide preventive health awareness in schools and villages.
She said that in 2018, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, declared Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham as a Center of Excellence in Tribal Empowerment through Digital Inclusion in recognition of the institution’s pioneering work in tribal development with outstanding application and research-oriented foundation.
Dr Raghu Raman, Dean of the School of Business at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham felicitated the Hon’ble Governor Shri K Haribabu ji and apprised him of the progress being made by the EDT working group.
