THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 15, 2026

The Odisha government’s Women and Child Development (W&CD) Department on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Birla Global University (BGU) here to strengthen the capacity of adolescent girls and peer leaders under its flagship ADVIKA initiative.

The partnership aims to equip adolescents with essential life skills, digital awareness and leadership capabilities, enabling them to make informed decisions and emerge as catalysts of change in their communities.

The MoU was signed by W&CD Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr Mrinalini Darswal on behalf of the state government and BGU Vice Chancellor Prof Kulbhushan Balooni on behalf of the university at the W&CD Conference Hall here.

Launched by the Odisha government as “A Path to Adolescent Empowerment”, ADVIKA seeks to unlock the potential of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years through life-skills education and awareness-generation sessions conducted every Saturday.

The collaboration will combine the university’s academic expertise with the department’s grassroots outreach to enhance the capabilities of adolescent girls and peer leaders associated with the programme.

Under the agreement, BGU will organise a six-day residential training programme for 50 ADVIKA adolescent girls at its Bhubaneswar campus, providing them with exposure to a university environment and opportunities for intensive, hands-on learning.

The university will also conduct a four-week community-based training programme for 50 ADVIKA peer leaders in Nimapada block of Puri district. The initiative is expected to strengthen their ability to guide, mentor and support fellow adolescents at the community level.

Speaking at the event, Darswal underscored the need to prepare adolescent girls for an increasingly digital and knowledge-driven world, emphasising that access to relevant skills and education would help them make informed choices and contribute meaningfully to society.

She also appreciated BGU for partnering with the department and supporting its efforts to empower adolescents through structured capacity-building initiatives.

Balooni reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the programme and assured quality training and mentorship for the participants, highlighting the institution’s role in supporting community-oriented development initiatives.

The partnership marks a collaborative effort to bridge the gap between higher education institutions and grassroots development programmes, with a focus on building confidence, knowledge and leadership among adolescents.

Sumitra Pattnaik, Additional Secretary of the W&CD Department, delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Secretary Jitendra Kumar Patra proposed the vote of thanks.

Senior officials of the department and members of the BGU faculty were present at the programme.