The Central University of Orissa for the first time in the country has been selected to establish the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Chair (Professor) for Tribal Studies for promoting developmental activities on various tribal issues in KBK region.
To this effect, recently the University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned funds under the General Development Assistance Plan of the Govt. of India for the year 2013-14. Under this Project, the post of one Chair Professor, one Post-Doctoral Fellow, one Junior Research Fellow and two Technical Assistants have been sanctioned for five years.
Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor of the University has stated that Koraput region is the right place for research studies concerning the issues relating to the tribals.
The various research-oriented and documentation on tribal issues like preservation of their cultural heritages, agricultural practices, ecology, customs, professions, traditional practices, tribal health and education can be undertaken by the University through this Chair.
She also added that there is a dire need of research and survey works regarding the feasibilities for potential issues of ICT of the tribal development in Koraput region.
The use of ICT for the development of tribal communities will be one of the emerging and thrust areas that have not adequately adopted in the region and can be done effectively through this Chair.