In a remarkable recognition of its dedicated educational outreach endeavors, SIGMA-oikos Jamshedpur of XLRI has been awarded the prestigious Community Impact Award by Oikos International. This esteemed accolade, chosen from a pool of over 40 project submissions spanning 20 countries, commends initiatives that significantly enhance people's lives while addressing crucial sustainability goals.
Oikos International, with a global presence in major cities such as Nottingham, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris, and London, provides its chapters an international perspective, fostering global networks for collaboration. The award spotlights SIGMA-oikos Jamshedpur's unwavering commitment to creating lasting positive change in the community.
The Basic Learning Program (BLP) traces its origins back to 2007 when students participating in a rural immersion program identified a profound digital divide. This realization spurred the inception of BLP, designed to promote computer literacy among primary and secondary school children from less privileged backgrounds in Jamshedpur.
Over the years, the program has evolved to encompass Basic English and Mathematics. Every Sunday, classes are conducted on the XLRI campus for children from 14 nearby underprivileged districts, in collaboration with The Robin Hood Academy. Volunteers from XLRI's HR and BM batches lead these sessions, fostering a shared learning experience for both the children and the volunteers. The curriculum covers various topics, from basic literacy to sentence construction and spoken English, alongside digital literacy to keep pace with the evolving technological landscape.
Presently, the program accommodates 30 regular students, with plans for further expansion to include more age groups and subjects. Notable success stories include that of Rahul, a 9-year-old who, after a year with BLP, received a star performer award in English, transforming his previous weakness into a strength.
This achievement aligns with XLRI and SIGMA-oikos Jamshedpur's overarching goal of uplifting the community and sharing resources for a better future. The BLP specifically targets SDG-4 of Quality Education for All, aiming to bridge the resource gap for young, bright minds. The Community Impact Award serves as tangible proof of these impactful initiatives.
Moreover, events like Daan Utsav and the Social Entrepreneurship Conclave, held throughout the year, further underscore their commitment to societal betterment. Today, the Basic Learning Program stands as an integral part of XLRI’s Sunday routine, seamlessly aligning with the institute's policy of "For the Greater Common Good."
