IIT Guwahati Partners with Assam Govt to Boost School-Level Scientific Talent

IIT Guwahati, in partnership with the state government, is actively fostering scientific talent among school students in Assam. Aligned with the state's commitment to the National Education Policy 2020, the institute is spearheading mentoring and training initiatives for both teachers and students. In a recent endeavor, the institute conducted a dedicated five-day orientation program for 110 school students starting on February 5th, 2024. The program was graced by the esteemed presence of Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology, and Minister of Information Technology of the Government of Assam. Additionally, a comprehensive five-day residential teacher training program is currently ongoing.

Speaking about IIT Guwahati's participation in mentoring the school teachers and students of Assam, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director of IIT Guwahati, said, "IIT Guwahati remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and experiential learning, particularly at the grassroots level. Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, our recent efforts highlight IIT Guwahati's dedication to nurturing scientific talent in partnership with the state government. I am sure these programs will equip both educators and learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed for success in today's dynamic world".

The five-day orientation program commenced with the presence of Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology, and Minister of Information Technology, representing the Government of Assam. The event was honored by the esteemed Chief Guest Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director of ASTEC, along with Laya Madduri, Secretary of the Science, Technology & Climate Change Department, Government of Assam, and Prof. Parameswar Iyer, Dean of PRBR at IIT Guwahati. They actively engaged with the selected students, motivating them to seize the opportunity to its fullest potential.

Speaking during the event, Keshab Mahanta, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology Minister of Information Technology, Govt. of Assam, said, "The 5-day mentoring program serves as a valuable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the IIT campus and its environment, fostering an understanding of core concepts and values". One of the major highlights of the five-day student orientation program was the live interaction with the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.

During the session, the Chief Minister inspired students to explore opportunities in the field of science and technology for their future growth. He also commended IIT Guwahati for its pivotal role in nurturing innovation. Out of the 110 selected students, approximately 45% were female participants. This aligns with the state government's initiative to boost female participation in STEM subjects. Selected students underwent a one-week residential fellowship camp at IIT Guwahati and now will proceed to the next stage of the campus at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore which will be held in collaboration with Karnataka State Council of Science & Technology.

The program's objective is to annually select over 100 students from the state. Among them, the top 15 will participate in the state-level Children's Science Contest, while another 15 will join the state-level Aryabhatta Science Centres. The remaining 70 students will undergo science talent search tests, followed by interactions with experts. In an effort to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to cultivate innovation and experiential learning in schools, IIT Guwahati successfully concluded a transformative 5-day residential teachers' training program on February 9th, 2024. Conducted in two batches, the training empowered teachers to establish Tinkering Labs, conduct sessions with students, and introduce methodologies for experiential learning.

Participants were trained in a variety of STEM subjects, including basic electronics, block-based coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and 3D design and printing. The program included over 15 practical projects, equipping teachers with substantial knowledge to integrate the curriculum into their schools. Under the supervision of the Education Department, Government of Assam, IIT Guwahati conducted the inaugural session of this program from January 29th to February 2nd, 2024, as mandated by Samagra Shiksha Assam.