Ministry of Tribal Affairs inks MOU with Microsoft to support the digital transformation of schools

Date:

Trending

With a vision to build an inclusive, skills-based economy, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Microsoft to support the digital transformation of schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Ashram Schools, among others under the Ministry at an online event ‘Empowering Youth For Success’.

- Advertisement -

 Against the backdrop of the New Education Policy 2020 that emphasizes the use of technology for improved learning, this partnership will train students in technologies such as artificial intelligence, coding, and data science, empowering them to use technology in meaningful ways to build their future.

Speaking at the inaugural virtual event, Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda said that our students need to get ready to compete at the global level. “This program will prove beneficial in terms of readiness, preparedness of our students at various international forums. Through these programs, our students would get the required skill set through digital transformation and this would begin a new chapter with AI and coding being a part of the curriculum,” he said.

- Advertisement -

Shri Munda also added that for the Digital India Mission to be successful every segment of the society needs to be empowered and he hoped that this Microsoft program would be able to bridge the gap between the tribal students and others.

The initiative will also enable the professional development of educators, enabling them to use technology in classrooms. Microsoft will work closely with schools across states under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to accelerate digital transformation. These schools will be equipped with the technology, training, and tools required to transform them into Microsoft Showcase Schools, which embody technological innovation in teaching, use productivity insights for decision making, and create accessible and personalized learning experiences for every student.

Under this program in the first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intension training and 500 master trainers would be trained in the first phase.

Also present at the event, Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs reiterated that this is a unique opportunity for the tribal students to get global standard education and to get a level playing field.

“This initiative can be a great help to the tribal students for maintaining continuity in their education in this lockdown period. What is great about the program is that not only the students but 5000 teachers nominated by the ministry across these schools would be provided with professional training,” She added.

Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching, helping them deliver blended or remote learning experiences to students in a more personalized, productive, and secure manner. Teacher pieces of training in Microsoft Teams will introduce them to the world of virtual collaboration and how teaching can be augmented with virtual field trips or remote sessions with experts. The program will also offer opportunities for teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates from the Microsoft Education Centre.

Speaking about the partnership, Navtez Bal, Executive Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said “The past year in both policy and practice has shown us that the future of learning will be more personalized and driven by technology. Our partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is a step to enable education equity, providing equal opportunity and access for the next generation of learners and educators from schools under the Ministry. We are deeply committed to the digital transformation of education in India and to support a community who will play a key role in shaping India’s next phase of growth.”

Anil Kumar Jha, Hon Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs stated that the transformational change in the new generation will happen through education and health. “This program will ensure that 73000 students will get a chance to change their future, their environment, their village, and the overall community. The active partnership by Microsoft will help in creating the talent pool that will be an asset to the country in the future,” He said.

He also said that this program should not be a one-off but a continuous process through generations creating a repository of knowledge.

Dr. Navaljit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MoTA stated that the collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Microsoft is a historic event. “Around 750 EMRS schools under MoTA will be participating in this program benefitting 3.5 lakh students in the next 5 years,” He said.

Under the partnership, students from schools under the Ministry will be mentored on projects that involve AI applications for societal good and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students will also be trained and exposed to gamified environments on Minecraft to help build design thinking skills. To enable inclusion and access, Microsoft will make the AI curriculum available to the schools and students in both English and Hindi.

THE SNAPSHOTS

Sign up to get quick snaps of everyday happening, directly in your inbox.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

- Advertisement -

Support our independent journalism PayPal (Outside India) For PayU (For Indian Readers).

Krishna Mali
Krishna Mali
Founder & Group Editor of TechGraph.

More Latest Stories

More Articles

00:01:09

VIDEO: US President Donald Trump Calls NBC A ‘Work Network’ On Television

During a press meeting at the Oval Office on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump criticized a reporter by calling NBC the 'worst network' on...

The Role of Edge Computing in AI-Powered Cloud Solutions

With businesses including artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations, cloud computing has grown in significance for its administration and processing. Conventional cloud-based artificial intelligence systems, however, struggled with data security, bandwidth use, and latency. Consequently, this resulted in the development of edge computing. By...

From Startup to Success: Essential Steps for Landscaping Entrepreneurs

Starting a landscaping business is so exciting, blending creativity with the reward of transforming...

‘Canada Ripping Us’: US President Trump Criticizes High Tariffs on Dairy and Lumber

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday slammed Canada’s high tariffs on American dairy and...
00:08:45

Trade War: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces 25% Tariffs On US Imports

Ottawa: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on U.S....

RP-Sanjiv Goenka’s Firstsource Opens ANZ HQ and AI Lab in Melbourne

Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL, BSE:532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today announced the...

Meta COO Javier Olivan Offloads Shares Worth $409,768

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) Chief Operating Officer Javier Olivan is set to sell 608...

Personal branding: designing logos for influencers and creators

In today’s digital landscape, personal branding has become more than just a buzzword; it’s...
00:03:00

Trump Defends Elon Musk Plan for Federal Job Cuts; Govt Spending ‘Bloated’

Following a meeting with Elon Musk and senior cabinet members, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the federal government’s workforce is “out of...

Demand for plumbers in Oman: which specialists are most in demand?

The demand for skilled plumbers in Oman is steadily increasing due to the country's...

Meta Executive Chris Cox to Sell $13.5 Million in Shares

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) Chief Product Officer Christopher Cox has filed to sell 20,000...

Union Budget 2025-26 Reactions: EV Makers Welcome Tax Relief and Infrastructure Investments

India’s electric vehicle industry has welcomed the Union Budget 2025-26, citing exemptions on capital...

Empowering Communities with Water Tech

This is a major problem worldwide; it affects billions of people in homes, villages,...

IIT Madras and SPF Partners to Enhance Policy Framework for Indian Startups

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) to drive data-driven...

Sachin Tendulkar Backed RRP Electronics Partners with Deca Technologies To Enhance Semiconductor Packaging

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar-backed semiconductor manufacturer RRP Electronics has signed a strategic partnership with US-based Deca Technologies, Inc. to enhance its wafer-level packaging capabilities. "As a part of the partnership, RRP Electronics—renowned for its expertise in assembling and testing semiconductor components—will integrate Deca’s cutting-edge Wafer-Level...

Ways Technology Can Help Your Business Performance

Businesses of all sizes and across every industry are integrating technology to improve their...

Microsoft Makes Equity Investment in Veeam

American tech giant Microsoft has made an equity investment in Veeam Software to develop...

Dogsee Chew draws $8 Mn in series B round from Ektha & Others

Natural pet treat brand Dogsee Chew on Thursday said, it has raised $8 million...

Simplifying International Transfers: A New Era for Indian Immigrants in Canada

Every year, thousands of Indian professionals and families pack their lives into suitcases and...

Lado Okhotnikov: A Successful Entrepreneur Who Has Inspired Millions

Lado Okhotnikov is a successful entrepreneur, expert, publicist, and investor from Kazakhstan, widely recognized...

PDF and eSignature Solution Provider Foxit Promotes Andrew Travis to Chief Revenue Officer

Foxit, Fremont, CA-based leading PDF and eSignature solution provider, on Tuesday announced that it...

Life Insurance Death Benefit Payouts: What Your Family Needs to Know

It is important to know more about life insurance policies and their operational modalities....

Wired vs. Wireless Headsets: A Comparative Guide for Evolving Audio Needs

Across a wide range of demographics, including gamers, fitness enthusiasts, business executives, and remote...

Union Budget 2025: Real Estate Experts See SWAMIH 2.0, ₹15,000 Cr State Support to Ease Housing Bottlenecks

The real estate sector views the Union Budget 2025-26 as a step toward addressing...

Union Budget 2025-26 Reactions: EV Makers Welcome Tax Relief and Infrastructure Investments

India’s electric vehicle industry has welcomed the Union Budget 2025-26, citing exemptions on capital...

Adani Wilmar Gets Shareholders’ Approval to Rebrand as AWL Agri Business Limited

Stock exchange-listed Adani Wilmar Limited announced on Tuesday that it has received approval from...

Pakistan Begins Rice Exports to Bangladesh Under New Government Deal

Bangladesh and Pakistan have resumed direct trade for the first time since 1971. The...

Leveraging AI and Modern HR Solutions to Transform Recruitment Strategies for Skilled Workers

In today’s competitive job market, recruitment strategies are rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in...

BC Originals: Exclusive Casino Games on BC.Game

BC Originals are special, exclusive casino games that are just for BC.Game players. All...

Empowering Communities with Water Tech

This is a major problem worldwide; it affects billions of people in homes, villages,...

Wired vs. Wireless Headsets: A Comparative Guide for Evolving Audio Needs

Across a wide range of demographics, including gamers, fitness enthusiasts, business executives, and remote...

The Rise of Conversational AI: What It Means for Tech and SaaS Businesses

Back in the time, when AI was not as prominent, businesses used to struggle...

Union Budget 2025: Real Estate Experts See SWAMIH 2.0, ₹15,000 Cr State Support to Ease Housing Bottlenecks

The real estate sector views the Union Budget 2025-26 as a step toward addressing...