1) Title of Best Practice-2:  Digital Saksharta Training Programme:  A Career Development Center

2) Objectives of the Practice:

• To bridge the digital divide in rural areas, by imparting computer literacy to students.
• The project also aims to train youth from rural areas in professional IT certificate courses for better employability.
• To impart soft and communication skills in local students.
• To enhance the overall quality and skill development among tribal students.

3) The Context:

            Since lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic, almost all colleges, schools and companies completed their work from home using computers that shown us the importance of knowledge of a computer. Students, especially in tribal and remote areas of Mokhada, loose precious educational time due to lack of knowledge and availability of digital media like computers and internet. To overcome this situation, the college took initiative in making Digital Hub for students in college campus itself. The college in association with JM Financial foundation, Mumbai in collaboration with NIIT Foundation, New Delhi have done remarkable precious job in installing such Digital centre which come under NSDC. The Centre has been set up as finished school with a view to impart computer literacy to the students not only from our college but also other students of various age groups from in and around Mokhada. A well-equipped training center with 50 computers. Besides the computer education, efforts will be made for personality development of the students and placement of students of this tribal area.

4) The Practice:

            The aim of activity is to inculcate IT skills and digital literacy among the tribal students. The college has taken good initiative and created balance while running a good venture of Digital Saksharta Training Programme. Each classroom has essential amenities, well equipped with various software installed computers and internet. All the courses are provided at free of cost. Total three different courses run by the digital centre. All courses are accredited under Skill India and National Skill Development Corporation. The regular training is given to the students via lecture and hands on training. After completing the duration of the course, conclusive exam is conducted and successful students get certificate of completed specified course.

5) Evidence of success:

• Enhancement of digital literacy among students.
• Development of soft skills and communication skills among students.
• After successfully completion of the course, 71 students got placement.  

            Digital Saksharta centre is helping them to built-up their confidence and create positive attitude towards not only the professional IT skills but also soft and communication skills. It has been found that students get more involved and keep sharing their thoughts/ideas in a class and open up in the hands on training.

6) Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

         We consider the tribal and hilly area not as a problem but an opportunity to serve the people. Even today people follow and practice traditional customs. It’s the challenge to the college to bring them into flow of light and educate them, and make them available for service of nation through digital literacy and IT professional skills. Some students attend their classes late due to lack of transportation facilities.