Tata Steel Foundation and HP Inc. Launch Mobile Literacy Project in Jajpur

The 'Kaushalyan' mobile digital skill development lab, a collaborative effort between Tata Steel Foundation and HP Inc., was inaugurated at Tomka High School in Danagadi, located in the Jajpur district of Odisha. The event was presided over by Er. Pritiranjan Gharai, the Hon'ble Minister of Rural Development, Skill Development, and Technical Education for the Government of Odisha, with the attendance of representatives from Tata Steel, Tata Steel Foundation, HP India, and the 'Society for All Round Development' (SARD).

Kaushalyan is a venture designed to introduce mobile computer units, providing the advantages of technology to students, teachers, and the local youth. It aims to establish connections with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic institutions. Students who avail themselves of the resources offered by 'Kaushalyan' will also have the opportunity to explore national platforms such as DIKSHA, SWAYAM, eSkill India, and others.

The mobile computer lab will 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, Er Pritiranjan Gharai focused on the equal importance of skilling as schooling to be successful. He also appreciated the efforts of Tata Steel Foundation, HP and SARD for the initiative.

Expressing his thoughts on the collaboration, Captain Amitabh, Head, Skill Development, Tata Steel Foundation, said, "This partnership reflects our commitment to addressing the digital skill development gap in underserved areas. In Jharkhand, our Kaushalyan project currently trains over 600 school children and youth annually. 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. This expansion aligns with the vocationalization of education proposed by NEP 2020".

'HP World on Wheels' is a manifestation of HP's dedication to digital education. In this initiative, HP furnishes self-contained, Internet-enabled digital education and learning labs in the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The goal is to promote digital education, offer entrepreneurship training, and deliver various citizen services in small towns and rural areas of India. These labs provide individuals with the opportunity to participate in IT literacy programs and connect with various government initiatives.

The 'Kaushalyan' initiative adopts a sustainable and inclusive approach to education through information technology. In line with this effort, HP has contributed the technologically advanced bus, 'HP World On Wheels', as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment. The operational costs of the project will be supported by Tata Steel Foundation, and the implementation on the ground will be carried out by SARD (Society for All Round Development), a respected NGO. The project will be initially piloted in the Jajpur and Keonjhar districts of Odisha.