IIT Guwahati working towards Transforming the Scientific talent in Assam's Education Landscape

IIT Guwahati working towards Transforming the Scientific talent in Assam's Education Landscape

The Institute has partnered with the state government to facilitate a range of training and mentoring programs aimed at both teachers and students at the school level

GUWAHATI, 12^th February 2024: In partnership with the state government, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, is playing a pivotal role in fostering scientific talent at the school level within Assam. Aligned with the state government's commitment to implementing the National Education Policy 2020 from the grassroots level, the institute has spearheaded several mentoring and training initiatives tailored for both teachers and students.

In recent endeavours, the institute organized a dedicated 5-day orientation program for 110 school students, on 5^th February 2024, in the esteemed presence of Shri Keshab Mahanta, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology Minister of Information Technology, Govt. of Assam, alongside an ongoing comprehensive 5-day residential teacher training program. These initiatives underscore IIT Guwahati's commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and experiential learning.

Speaking about IIT Guwahati's participation in mentoring the school teachers and students of Assam, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Officiating Director, 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.”

5-day Orientation Program for 110 School Students at IIT Guwahati

IIT Guwahati, in collaboration with the Assam Science Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC), Govt. of Assam, inaugurated a transformative 5-day orientation program for 110 school students from across the state on 5^th February 2024, in the esteemed presence of Shri Keshab Mahanta, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister of Science and Technology Minister of Information Technology, Govt. of Assam.

Along with the Hon’ble Chief Guest Dr. Jaideep Baruah, Director, ASTEC, Smt. Laya Madduri, IAS, Secretary of the Science, Technology & Climate Change Department, Govt. of Assam, and Prof. Parameswar Iyer, Dean, PRBR, IIT Guwahati, interacted with the selected students and urged them to utilise this opportunity to the fullest.

Speaking during the event, Shri Keshab Mahanta, Hon’ble 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.”

Hon’ble Chief Guest further emphasized the significance of embracing curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, encouraging students to engage with IIT Guwahati professors to enhance their understanding of scientific studies. Grateful for IITG and ASTEC collaboration.

Conducted under the Mukhya Mantrir Bigyan Pratibha Sandhan, the primary objective of the program was to bridge the gap between extraordinary students and the right destination for honing their skills in research and innovation. It sought to identify and expose talented students to the correct set of mentors, facilitating a clear understanding of their interests and growth potential. The 5-day program included mentorship for the selected students and exposure to various scientific fields.

One major highlight of the 5-Day Students Orientation Program was the live interaction with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. During the session, Dr. Sarma 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 and excellence in education.

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 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. Along with it, this mentorship initiative is designed to provide students with in-depth guidance, resources, and hands-on experience in their chosen scientific domains.

The program aims to select over 100 students annually from the state. Following selection, the top 15 students will participate in the state-level Children’s Science Congress, and another 15 will be part of the state-level Aryabhatta Science Centres. The remaining 70 students will undergo science talent search tests, followed by interactions with experts.

5-Day Residential Teacher Training Program at IIT Guwahati

With an aim to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge required to foster innovation and experiential learning in schools, IIT Guwahati successfully concluded the transformative 5-day residential teachers' training program on 9^th February 2024. Conducted in two batches, the training program empowered teachers to install Tinkering Labs, conduct sessions with students, and introduce experiential learning methodologies.

Participants underwent training in multiple STEM topics, including Basic Electronics, Block-based Coding, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Machi Learning, and 3D Design and Printing. The program included 15+ practical projects, allowing teachers to gain substantial know-how and replicate the curriculum in their respective schools.

Commissioned by Samagra Shiksha Assam, under the aegis of the Education Department, Government of Assam, IIT Guwahati conducted the inaugural session of this program from 29^th January to 2^nd February 2024. It saw a robust participation, with over 560 teachers hailing from 335 schools across all 33 districts of the state. Following this success, the second batch of the program took place from 5^th to 9^th February 2024, attracting around 300 educators from 156 schools, representing all 33 districts of Assam.

Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 this training program will help teachers in incorporating experiential learning in their curriculum for the benefit of students.