NESTS Launches Amazon Future Engineer Program to Empower Tribal Students

In his address, Commissioner Srivastava underscored the critical role of empowering tribal educators with the necessary skills to teach these emerging technologies.

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has officially launched the Third Phase of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ across 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in seven states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Tripura. This phase aims to equip tribal students with essential skills in blockchain, artificial intelligence, coding, and block programming.

Empowering Educators and Students

During the launch event in New Delhi, Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, Commissioner of NESTS, inaugurated a four-day in-person teachers’ training workshop alongside the EMRS Coders Expo, showcasing the Top 20 Coding Projects from the previous academic year.

In his address, Commissioner Srivastava underscored the critical role of empowering tribal educators with the necessary skills to teach these emerging technologies. He emphasized that fostering technological literacy is vital for the future careers of tribal students, ensuring they are equipped for STEM fields and capable of contributing to India's technological advancement.

Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

During the ceremony, top-performing students and educators were recognized for their outstanding contributions. The Top 3 Student Coding Projects were awarded for their creativity and innovation, alongside accolades for the Top 3 IT Teachers who provided exceptional guidance throughout the year.

Expanding the Curriculum Nationwide

The Third Phase of the Amazon Future Engineer Program will eventually be implemented across 410 proposed EMRSs nationwide. Over the past two years, the program has introduced more than 7,000 students in grades 6 to 8 to the fundamentals of computer science and block programming, while training over 50 teachers in prior phases. The new curriculum will broaden to include blockchain and AI for students in grades 6 to 9, and project-based virtual sessions for class 10 students, aligning with the CBSE AI Skills Curriculum.

Commitment to Modernizing Education

NESTS is dedicated to modernizing education for tribal students and enhancing their access to technological skills through capacity-building initiatives. This effort aims not only to prepare tribal students for future careers but also to bridge the digital divide and foster an inclusive environment for technological growth across India.

With the launch of this third phase, NESTS reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that tribal students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, contributing positively to the nation’s progress.