Jamia gets Rs 1.38-cr research grant for skill development of Assam tea tribes
The department of educational studies (DES), faculty of education, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has secured a research project worth Rs 1.38 crore by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).
The project, titled ‘Empowerment of Tea Tribes of Assam through Digital and Non-digital Skill Development Programmes’, aims to examine the impact of skill development initiatives on the socio-economic upliftment of tea garden workers in Assam.
Commenting on the importance of the project, JMI Vice-Chancellor Mazhar Asif said, “With this study focused on the tea tribes of Assam, JMI will be able to further increase its research engagement in the northeast region of the country.”
He said the findings emerging from the first-hand data collected from the tea tribes of Assam would contribute significantly to enhancing the quality of their lives and providing deeper insights into their work practices while emphasising the rich, distinct and valuable socio-cultural dimensions of the lives, traditions and lived experiences of these communities.
JMI Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi said, “Such a research project is important not only because it is an understudied subject but also because its findings have the potential to shape future policy and developmental projects in the region.” He added, “JMI is committed to undertaking teaching and research on the lives of culturally, socially, geographically and linguistically marginalised communities with the aim to empower them. This longitudinal study on the tea tribes of Assam is a major step in that direction.”
The project involves research, data collection and analysis will utilise the team’s research and analytical skills to apply the theoretical concepts of qualitative and quantitative research in practical situations to further solidify the understanding of mixed-methods research.
The institute said the aim of the longitudinal study was to develop a research mindset of lifelong learning and continuous improvement to address real-world problems faced in tea-garden areas of Assam, thereby contributing to the betterment of society.
The project shall also facilitate the development of time management, organisation and goal-setting through a process of planning and timely execution of the same.
This announcement follows a recent meeting on July 8 between Asif, Rizvi and Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and Education Sukanta Majumdar. The meeting discussed the construction of a 400-bed hostel for northeast students at JMI, during which the minister assured full support for the initiative.
Delhi