Gondwana Varsity To Fulfil Engineering Dreams Of Gadchiroli Tribals

Time of India

18-07-2025

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Nagpur: Gondwana University has launched the University Institute of Technology (UIT) in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra's tribal heartland, with full financial support from Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd.
The institute will offer free diploma-level technical education to tribal students from some of the district's most remote and Maoist-affected areas.
President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stone of the institute on July 5, 2023. "Admissions are through the Common Admission Procedure (CAP) conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE). So far, 60 students have confirmed their seats, including 40 from Hedri and surrounding villages who have never stepped outside their area — some will be visiting Gadchiroli city for the first time," said vice-chancellor Dr Prashant Bokare.
The institute is expected to be a boon for talented students in backward areas long haunted by violence, where access to quality education often requires traveling long distances.
UIT will operate from a refurbished building on a newly allotted 170-acre government campus near Adapalli, where Lloyds is funding the complete renovation. "The old structure is being converted into a modern facility with classrooms, labs, a library, and a computer center," said Prashant Mohite, a member of the university's management council.
Registrar Anil Hirekhan said awareness campaigns are underway to encourage more tribal youth to apply. "We're hopeful of more aspirants in the upcoming CAP rounds. Many bright students in this region drop out due to financial hardship or their families' reluctance to send them to other cities. They are often advised to work with their parents in the fields," he said. The diploma programmes being offered include mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, and computer science — fields aligned with regional industry demands and local employment potential.
Lloyds Metals' ₹25 Crore CSR Push To Fully Sponsor Tribal Students
Lloyds Metals, which has transformed the landscape of Gadchiroli with major investments in the mining sector, will fully fund the first batch of 120 tribal students enrolled at the University Institute of Technology (UIT). The mining giant will invest ₹25 crore in the first year under a public-private partnership (PPP) model to cover tuition fees, food, hostel accommodation, and overseas training.
The company also plans to recruit deserving candidates, giving a strong start to their careers.
"The company will sponsor each student at an annual cost of around ₹2 lakh and has guaranteed jobs in its upcoming plants in Gadchiroli, with a monthly salary of ₹40,000," vice-chancellor Dr Prashant Bokare told TOI. He added that this initiative is part of a broader ₹200 crore development plan focused on education and infrastructure in the Naxal-affected region.
Bokare also confirmed that Gondwana University has partnered with Curtin University in Perth, Australia — ranked second globally in mining education — to offer six-month international training to the students. "This global exposure will ensure our graduates are equipped with both technical knowledge and industry-ready skills," he said. To oversee operations, Manish Uttarwar, director of innovation and incubation at Gondwana University, has been appointed as the in-charge director of UIT.
Registrar Anil Hirekhan said academic operations will commence from September 1. "We are in the process of appointing teaching and non-teaching staff. Separate hostels for boys and girls will be constructed with company support. Until then, students will be accommodated in rented private buildings, and Lloyds will bear the full cost," he said.
UIT to Launch BTech, MTech Courses from Next Year
The University Institute of Technology (UIT) will introduce full-time BTech and MTech programmes from the next academic session (2026–27), expanding beyond diploma courses in line with regional industry demands.
Undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) degrees will be offered in mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, and computer science. Gondwana University aims to establish UIT as a premier destination for higher education in the region.
"UIT is not just another technical institute. We are developing it along the lines of IITs and IIMs, with world-class infrastructure and global academic partnerships," said vice-chancellor Dr Prashant Bokare.
The institute is currently upgrading its campus at Adapalli on the Nagpur-Gadchiroli road, with tenders for refurbishment already completed. Planned facilities include modern laboratories and sports infrastructure such as dedicated volleyball and basketball courts.
At the foundation stone ceremony held on July 5, 2023, then deputy chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis announced a ₹20,000 crore investment in the steel sector in Gadchiroli and assured continued government support for skill-based education.
"We're also working to start an airport here. The government will provide sufficient funds to make Gondwana University one of the best in the state," Fadnavis had said.
Then Maharashtra governor and chancellor of state universities, Ramesh Bais, also endorsed the idea of recognising Gondwana University as a tribal university. "The campus is being developed on 170 acres, and the state plans to invest ₹1,500 crore in the coming years. GU has made remarkable progress over 12 years in a district where 39% of the population is tribal," he had said.