Surabhi Banerjee

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 3: The Central University of Odisha will collaborate with a university in New Zealand to document and study tribal life in Koraput and adjoining districts.

The joint programmes and research-oriented projects with the University of Wananga would be pursued under the central varsity’s Centre for Indigenous Studies that will be inaugurated tomorrow. On the occasion, both varsities will sign a formal memorandum of understanding for academic exchange and collaboration at the Sunabeda campus in Koraput.

According to the agreement, the varsities will work together for documentation of tribal issues through preservation of their cultural heritage, agricultural practices, ecology and customs. Research and documentation work will be related to professions, traditional practices, tribal health, indigenous knowledge and education.

“Both the varsities have also agreed for academic exchange programmes, including student and faculty exchange,” said central varsity vice-chancellor Surabhi Banerjee.

She said that the central university was particularly interested to understand how the New Zealand-based varsity incorporated indigenous knowledge into education programmes.

A team consisting of vice-chancellor of Wananga University Graham Smith, the varsity’s international coordinator and Melanie Chapman and international manager Perya Shot today reached Koraput for more discussion. They also attended a university programme on the Sunabeda campus.

“Smith is a distinguish scholar in the area of Maori study. He has been at the forefront of Maori initiatives in the field of education and beyond. His recent academic works have centered on developing theoretically informed transformative strategies related to intervening in Maori cultural, political, social, educational and economic crisis,” said a senior officer of the varsity.

“Prof Smith has made significant contributions to the political, social, economic and cultural advancement of indigenous Maori communities and has also worked extensively with other indigenous people across the world, including Canada, Hawaii, USA mainland, Taiwan, Chile, Australia and the Pacific nations,” he said.

The central university serves a large, economically deprived tribal population and is one of 12 state-funded varsities set up in 2009 to promote higher education in remote rural regions.