The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT) in Sri Vijaya Puram hosted 20 tribal youths from Nancowry Island as part of an educational and cultural exposure tour organised by the Department of Tribal Welfare. The visit, conducted under the programme “Connecting Rural Students Through Technology” (CONRUSTT), was aimed at bridging the gap between rural students and modern technical education.
Held on September 11, 2025, the tour provided the visiting students with a firsthand experience of the institute’s infrastructure, academic offerings, and career-building opportunities in various technical fields. The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to integrate tribal youth into mainstream educational and professional opportunities by familiarising them with institutions, skills, and technology.
During the tour, the students visited multiple laboratories within the institute, where they observed demonstrations and gained exposure to applied sciences and engineering practices. They also explored a fashion designing exhibition, which highlighted the creative applications of technology in fields beyond conventional engineering. An interactive session at the Language Lab introduced them to resources aimed at improving communication skills, while a visit to the automobile section provided insights into mechanical engineering and practical skill development.
Senior students of DBRAIT guided the group around the campus, showcasing ongoing projects, advanced equipment, and innovations developed by their predecessors. These live demonstrations offered the visitors an understanding of how classroom concepts are translated into real-world applications, motivating them to consider higher education in technical fields.
The exposure tour was carefully curated to ensure the participants received both academic and cultural insights. By blending technical demonstrations with interactive sessions, the initiative encouraged the students to imagine themselves in professional roles that demand skill, discipline, and creativity.
For many of the visiting students, this was their first encounter with such large-scale academic infrastructure. Coming from remote parts of Nancowry, where access to laboratories and advanced equipment is limited, the experience provided both inspiration and practical knowledge. Organisers highlighted that such visits aim to raise aspirations among rural youth, motivating them to pursue further studies and careers in science, technology, and allied fields.
The CONRUSTT programme, under which the visit was conducted, has been designed to reduce the educational divide between rural and urban students by offering practical exposure, mentoring, and awareness-building initiatives. By bringing students to institutions like DBRAIT, the programme seeks to open pathways that can lead to improved academic performance, higher enrolment in technical education, and broader career prospects.
The visit also underlined the role of peer mentoring, as the DBRAIT students not only guided the visitors but also shared their personal academic journeys. This interaction served to build a relatable link between the aspirations of the tribal youths and the achievements of their slightly older counterparts. Such exchanges can foster a sense of belonging and help rural students overcome psychological barriers associated with higher education.
Cultural exchange was another implicit feature of the tour, as students from Nancowry were able to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, furthering their social awareness and adaptability. For DBRAIT, hosting the group provided an opportunity to extend its educational outreach and demonstrate its role as not just an academic institution but also a community partner in inclusive development.
The exposure tour at DBRAIT is part of a series of initiatives under the Department of Tribal Welfare that seek to integrate educational development with cultural identity. By investing in such programmes, the administration aims to create long-term impact, empowering tribal youth to make informed choices about education and careers.
For the Nancowry students, the visit was both informative and inspirational, offering a glimpse of possibilities beyond their immediate environment. For the institute and the administration, it reaffirmed the importance of extending opportunities to every corner of the islands, ensuring that talent and potential are not restricted by geography.
