Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 15: The Women & Child Development Department of Odisha Government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Birla Global University (BGU), Bhubaneswar for capacity building under ADVIKA scheme.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Mrinalini Darswal, Birla Global University Vice Chancellor Kulbhushan Balooni and other senior officers.
The State Government has launched ADVIKA – “A Path to Adolescent Empowerment” to unlock the potential of adolescents aged 10–19 years.
It reached them through life-skills education and awareness-generation sessions held every Saturday. The MoU with BGU was signed to further strengthen the capacities of ADVIKA adolescent girls and Peer Leaders.
It brought together the academic expertise of the University and the grassroots outreach of the Department.
Under the MoU, it was agreed that BGU would conduct a six-day residential training programme for 50 ADVIKA adolescent girls at its campus in Bhubaneswar.
This would give the girls exposure to a university environment and intensive, hands-on learning. It was also agreed that a four-week community-based training programme would be organised for 50 ADVIKA Peer Leaders in Nimapada Block of Puri district. This would equip them to guide and support fellow adolescents in their communities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary highlighted the importance of preparing adolescent girls for a digital and knowledge-driven world. She noted that such skills would help them make informed choices and become agents of change in their communities.
She also appreciated BGU for partnering with the Department in this effort. Vice Chancellor, Birla Global University, expressed the University’s commitment to the initiative and assured quality training and mentorship for the participants.
