Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gujarat-based Tribhuvan Sahkari University-Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) at a ceremony held in Itanagar on Thursday.
The memorandum was signed between the State Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PR) and Tribhuvan Sahkari University.
The agreement was signed in the presence of RD&PR Minister Ojing Tasing, Secretary Sonal Swaroop, and IRMA, Gujarat Director Dr Umakant Dash for availing national-level training and capacity building, evaluation of the training programme, training needs assessment, collaborative research and pilot case studies, innovative project planning, management, and processing and marketing of local products.
“This strategic partnership will empower our Panchayati Raj leaders and rural development officials through: Capacity building & training, Research and policy engagement, Evaluation & strengthening of training curricula and Knowledge exchange between SIRD and IRMA,” Chief Minister Pema Khandu posted on X.
Khandu further added, “With IRMA faculty bringing expertise to our doorstep in Itanagar and our representatives gaining hands-on exposure in Gujarat, this collaboration holds immense promise for a Viksit Bharat, Viksit Arunachal!”
The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic expertise and ground-level implementation of rural development schemes across Arunachal Pradesh’s remote villages and tribal communities.
Tasing expressed hope that the MoU between the organizations would lead to various interventions “for capacity building, training, as well as developmental project planning for the greater benefit of Arunachal Pradesh.”
He also announced that two major batches of training programmes will be conducted for senior officers and officials of the PR and RD cadres from August 25 to 29 at the SIRD&PR campus, and another one from November 3 to 7 at IRMA, Gujarat.
Sonal Swaroop stated that the MoU has a multi-dimensional scope for training and capacity building of SIRD&PR functionaries and elected representatives.
“These training initiatives will focus on enhancing leadership capabilities, managerial skills, and governance knowledge essential for effective decentralized planning and execution,” Swaroop added.
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The partnership will focus on capacity building for local government officials, knowledge sharing on best practices, and developing innovative approaches to rural challenges specific to the northeastern state.