Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: IIT Guwahati and Arohan Scheme of Assam Government Implemented Effectively for Inspiring STEM Excellence

Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020,  Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati  in collaboration with the Government of Assam’s flagship Arohan scheme is actively engaged in motivating meritorious students to pursue STEM subjects in their higher education. To date, the Institute has successfully hosted 3311 students (2009 girls and 1302 boys) and few hundred mentee teachers, inspiring them to explore the vast opportunities and interests in STEM education. Notably, the number of girl students was around 65% of the total participants, highlighting the importance of encouraging and promoting girl/women in STEM education.

Arohan, conceived as a Mentor-Mentee program for secondary class students in Government schools, is an initiative championed by the visionary Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. Operating under the umbrella of Samagra Shiksha Assam, this flagship program encompasses diverse activities, including mentoring, exposure trips, competitions, and interactions tailored for the career progression of government school students in classes 9th to 12th.

Within the framework of the Arohan scheme, IIT Guwahati has hosted meritorious students (Mentees) along with their Guide teachers/Officers in a total of 12 batches. During their visit to IIT Guwahati, these students had the opportunity to engage with institute faculty members, interact with students, and explore institutional facilities. Coordinated by the Offices of Outreach Education Program (OEP), Public Relations Branding and Ranking (PRBR) and Students’ Affairs at IIT Guwahati, these events took place during their four/five-days stay on campus from October to December 2023.

Speaking about IIT Guwahati’s participation in the Arohan scheme, Prof. A. S. Achalkumar, Dean, Outreach Education Program, IIT Guwahati, said, “Arohan program is fully residential program for the meritorious students of Assam at IIT Guwahati, where they visit various higher educational Institutions, research Institutes, laboratories to get exposure, apart from the interaction with IIT Faculty as well as students. This is a great investment on our future, and for IIT Guwahati it is a way to contribute to the society. We hope that once they go back to their homes, many of them will try their best to come back to IIT Guwahati as students along with their friends.”

During the interactive session, students engaged in extensive discussions with 33 IIT Guwahati faculty members. The topics covered included JEE preparation strategies, research in basic sciences, academic programs at IITs, and the Common Entrance Examination for Design. These interactions aimed to instill a sense of scientific and technological enthusiasm among the gifted students.

Speaking about Arohan initiative, Mr. Ayan Dutta, Dhekial, Higher Secondary School said, ”I am grateful to the government for giving us this exposure. This initiative is especially beneficial to brilliant students who have big dreams but may be economically weaker. The vibrant discussions here at IIT Guwahati will help us in our future  career.”

Speaking about her experience during the interaction, Ms. Kristi Bora, Rangmahal High School, said  ,“Being a part of these sessions has taught me so much, and now, I dream of studying at IIT Guwahati. I’m determined to put in the effort and work hard to turn this dream into a reality.“

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Speaking about her experience during the interaction, Ms. Triveni Das, Doyang High School, said,” Through these engaging sessions, the IIT Guwahati teachers provided us valuable guidance on achieving success in life, do better in our studies, and stay focused on our learning.”

Speaking about IIT Guwahati’s involvement in STEM Education promotion and the Arohan scheme, Prof. Parameswar K. Iyer, Dean, Public Relations Branding and Ranking, IIT Guwahati, said, “This Arohan program conceived by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam was entrusted to IIT Guwahati as a fully residential program for the meritorious students from remotest places of Assam to be hosted at IIT Guwahati, so that exposure to world class facilities, interactions with brightest students and visits to state-of-the-art laboratories and academics can be provided to these students. We have been working very closely with the education department of Assam and have initiated several important STEM initiatives including this Arohan program and we hope to contribute to imbibe quality STEM education and amenities to students and teachers including making them aware of the best opportunities available to them at IIT Guwahati and other institutes.”

Students from 29 districts of Assam including Nagaon, Hojai, Udalguri, Darrang, Biswanath, Sonitpur, Jorhat, Dima Hasao, Baksa, W.K. Anglong, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Hailakandi, SS Mankachar, Barpeta, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Cachar, Kamrup(M), Nalbari, Morigaon, Bongaigaon, Goalpara, Karbi Anglong, Tinsukia, Chirang, Dhubri, benefitted from this program.

Additionally, the students and their mentees explored various educational and cultural sites, including the IIT Guwahati academic and research facilities, Biotechnology Park, Planetarium, State Zoo, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Regional Science Centre, and Assam Administrative Staff College.

IIT Guwahati has been collaborating with the Government of Assam for multiple projects to augment holistic development of the region. The recent initiative of IIT Guwahati and SSA will open new educational and career avenues for the students in the State of Assam.