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Alluri Sitharama Raju (AP), Nov.27 : The University of Melbourne has surpassed the ambitious target set in December 2023 to reach 50,000 students through the Schools Engagement Program in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The milestone was passed ahead of schedule and has now exceeded 60,000 students engaged in Andhra Pradesh alone, with more than 70,000 students from over 150 schools across India reached through the program since 2020.
The Schools Engagement Program supports underrepresented secondary school students in India through career guidance and future planning, helping them understand labour markets and develop their social mobility, empowering them to thrive in their studies and life. Initially launched in seven schools in Pune and Madurai, the program expanded to over 100 Government schools in five districts in Andhra Pradesh in 2023.
Professor Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement), University of Melbourne said, “This program reflects the University of Melbourne’s commitment to long-term engagement within India, supporting the country on its ambitious education journey. India is home to the largest tertiary population in the world. Empowering the tens of thousands of young students through this program is just one of the ways we endeavour to enrich academic capabilities in India, and we would like to reach as many students as possible”.
Dinesh Kumar, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, Alluri Sitharama Raju District in Andhra Pradesh emphasized the importance of engaging with young students, who are the future leaders of society. The expansion throughout Andhra Pradesh was made possible by support from the Government of Andhra Pradesh – Department of School Education, Rotary International Districts in Zone 7, Rotary India Literacy Mission, and Samaghra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh.
Across all pilot programs in Pune, Madurai, Vijayawada, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Schools Engagement Program has also supported over 1700 teachers and over 100,000 parents and guardians through capacity building activities.
Professor Lindsay Oades, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne, discussed how his positive psychology research has influenced the program.
- Srinivasa Rao, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha AP, also spoke.
The University of Melbourne continues to explore opportunities to expand the Schools Engagement Program further within Andhra Pradesh and across India, hoping to reach as many students as possible with this important early learning and careers guidance program.
