JMI gets Rs 1.38 crore research grant for skill development of Assam tea tribes

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) was granted a longitudinal research project worth Rs 1.38 crore for skilling Assam tea tribes. The project titled “Empowerment of Tea Tribes of Assam through Digital and Non-digital Skill Development Programmes” aims to explore the long-term impact of skill development initiatives on the socio-economic status of tea garden workers.

The JMI research project intends to develop a mindset of “lifelong learning and improvement” in order to address practical issues faced in tea garden areas of Assam. The project will use data collection and analytical skills to apply theoretical concepts in practical situations. The project will be fully funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR).

This development follows a recent meeting of Mazhar Asif, vice chancellor, and Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi, registrar, with the Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and Education, Sukanta Majumdar. The minister promised his support toward the construction of a 400-bed hostel for Northeastern students on the JMI campus.

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JMI skill development research

The Rs 1.38-crore JMI research project will be led by Quazi Ferdoushi Islam as the project coordinator. Kaushal Kishore, head of department of educational studies, JMI, and Ahrar Hussain, former head and dean, faculty of education, JMI, and current advisor of SGT University, will serve as project directors. Other project directors include Nivedita Goswami from Gauhati University, along with Sameer Babu M and Zeba Tabassum from the department of educational studies.

The JMI Northeast research grant plans to foster a “rigorous” research environment within the department, said an official statement. Through the project, the department seeks better research capabilities for delivering “high-quality and impactful” research.

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Speaking about the Jamia Millia Islamia study, Asif said, “I am sure that 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, improving livelihood opportunities, and providing deeper insights into their work practices, while emphasizing the rich, distinct, and valuable socio-cultural dimensions of the lives, traditions, and lived experiences of these communities.”