Panaji, Aug 14, 2024: A digital project initiated by Vedanta Foundation that emphasis on digital literacy and in providing access to affordable IT education has made a transformational impact on over 80,000 rural youth across the country.
International Youth Day is marked globally on August 12 and brings youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. This year’s theme was ‘From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development', which emphasises the combined potential of the youth harnessing digital pathways.
Vedanta Sesa Goa, under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, set up Vedanta computer labs & centres, which have played a pivotal role in creating a digitally aware and enabled segment of youth and students. Vedanta Sesa Goa is currently operating 10 computer centres and 14 computer labs across states. Initiatives such as the Vedanta e-Siksha, which was run in collaboration with the Goa government up to 2018, and those being run presently, the IT initiatives have so far helped transform over 80,000 students and youth in more than 350 schools across states, according to a press release issued by Vedanta Foundation.
The computer labs set up at school such as at the Our Lady of Grace High School, Bicholim & Shrimati High School, aim to equip the students with computer training skills through their classroom curriculum. The computer lab is equipped with latest hardware, servers and other technical assets as required by the school.
Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant during the inauguration of the Computer Lab at Shrimati High School, Velguem, said, “I would like to congratulate Vedanta for setting up the Computer Lab for the students of Shrimati High School, Velguem, The initiative will help children in rural areas to access quality IT-based education & will significantly enhance e-learning opportunities and promote various types of computer-related tools and education in the rural area.”
The computer centres such as those set up at Bicholim, Navelim, Haldenwadi Dodamarg (Maharashtra) and Chitradurga (Karnataka) equip the youth with computer training skills through a six month long technical course. These have been established in collaboration with the local panchayats which has helped in ensuring greater footfall from the stakeholders.
In the first three months of the course, the students would be imparted with basic knowledge of computers and would be taught to use software such as Microsoft Office, whereas, the subsequent three months of the course would equip the students with advanced knowledge of computers. The Computer Training course has been specially designed keeping the youth in mind and around 120 students will be trained annually in the Computer Centre . Notably, the course curriculum is also approved by NSDC.
Similarly, a newly started skilling program at STS, the Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) course for women, provides better employment opportunities. COPA offers a one-year course designed to make women professionals in the field of computer applications. The course began in October 2023, and the first batch of 13 students is set to graduate in the coming months.
Navin Jaju, CEO, Sesa Goa, said, “I am confident that through our focus on digital/ IT initiatives, the youth will benefit immensely & it will help promote IT education in rural areas.Vedanta Sesa Goa, under the aegis of Vedanta Foundation, has been actively promoting computer literacy and nurturing futures through focused programs. Our computer labs, centres and the curriculum at the IT courses being run at the Sesa Technical School, are facilitating the creation of a pool of IT-enabled youth who will lead #ViksitBharat.”
Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa, said, “We at Vedanta are committed to provide the requisite support to enable our students to acquire computer skills at par with any other part of the country. We thank our partnering schools, government bodies and village panchayats for having provided us the opportunity to serve the youth through digital/ IT education related initiatives. I am sure that with additional labs coming up, our students and youth shall stand to benefit from the same in many ways. Last year, we introduced a COPA course at our technical school in Sankhali to further support women in technical disciplines and help them achieve independence.”
Tamanna Sawant, a student at Vividha Higher Secondary School, stated, “The courses offered by Vedanta range from basic to advanced courses. I enrolled in these classes and learned to use essential computer software. This will help me in skilling up on computer skills and for college presentations as well. The courses are affordable & now we don’t have to rely on cybercafés, which could be costly due to internet usage fees. Now, with the skills I've gained, I can easily complete assignments etc. Learning computer skills has greatly benefited my personal and academic life, and I highly recommend it to every woman.”
Vedanta Sesa Goa has endeavoured to create genuine ‘digital pathways’ for the progress and benefit of the youth in rural areas. Sesa Goa is committed to contributing towards the promotion of sustainable economic growth and improvement of access to quality & affordable education for reducing poverty and promoting overall socio-economic development of rural India, the Foundation said.
