Jamshedpur, April 1: XLRI has initiated steps to establish an extension centre at Gamharia in Seraikela-Kharsawan district.

The centre would come up on the campus of Xavier Institute for Tribal Education (XITE), a sister concern started by the Jamshedpur unit of Jesuits Society in 2003.

The B-school recently sent a proposal to the state industry department in this regard.

The Director of XITE, Father Augustine, said: “We have acquired 34.5 acres from Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority to establish a full-fledged campus in Gamharia. XLRI, which proposes to shift its Entrepreneurship Development Centre, will be given a share on our campus,” said Father Augustine.

XITE, which was started with the objective of promoting tribal education, runs a three-year integrated and innovative Bachelor of Business Administration course, exclusively for tribal boys and girls.

Since its inception, it has been functioning on a plot provided by Tata Steel at Tayo Colony in Gamharia. But, as XITE wanted to expand, it approached the Adityapur authorities and acquired 34.5 acres of land.

Industry secretary N.N. Sinha said the B-school was keen to set up an extension centre at Gamharia. “We have received a proposal in this connection from XLRI. The nitty-gritties are being worked out,” he said.

According to Sinha, the department had no objection to XLRI setting up an extension centre within the XITE campus. “We have initiated a dialogue with the B-school authorities on the faculty and other facilities to be provided at the new centre,” said Sinha.