Central government has launched DBT Star College Mentorship Programme 2024 for young innovators on 8th November 2021. This scheme will promote scientific temper among the masses, particularly youngsters, by strengthening scientific research and innovation efforts in the country. In this article, we will tell you about the complete details of the first ever mentorship programme for young innovators.
DBT Star College Mentorship Programme 2024
DBT Star College Mentorship Programme will help towards the concept of networking, hand holding and outreach.
Objective
It is a pan India scheme which envisages a Star College in every district of the country. Star Colleges would be supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Science and Technology Ministry.
Activities
Under the DBT Star College Mentorship Programme, several workshops, meetings per month, handholding events at colleges particularly in the rural areas or lesser equipped areas, and outreach activities across government schools will be organized.
The activities will enable newer colleges which have begun their journey under the scheme to come up as per the mandate of Star College scheme.
Significance
The Star Status Colleges will help in incorporating the vision of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) towards strengthening of Under Graduate (UG) Science Courses throughout the country by mentoring the newer colleges through hand-holding and peer learning and bringing them under the aegis of Star College Scheme.
Support to Students
More than 1.5 lakh students have been supported in the past 5 years under the Star College Scheme. Currently, 278 Under Graduate (UG) colleges across India are being supported under the DBT Star College scheme.
The categorization of the scheme into rural and urban categories during 2018-19 has ensured a level-playing field for applicants hailing from rural and urban areas of the country. Presently, 55 colleges from rural areas and 15 colleges in aspirational districts are being supported under the scheme in a short time period of two years.
What is Star College Scheme
The Star College scheme was launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2008 for supporting colleges and universities offering Under Graduate (UG) science courses across India. Through the Star College scheme, the DBT recognizes colleges with potential for excellence and offers them support to develop infrastructure for academics and laboratory activities.
Under the Star College scheme, the support is not limited to infrastructure development but the scheme also supports the training of laboratory staff and faculty, visits to research institutes and industry, lectures by eminent scientists, etc.
Source / Reference Link: https://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/centre-launches-firstever-dbtstar-college-mentorship-programme-1636461479-1