CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRIBAL STUDIES (RDTS)
(OHEPEE, Government ofOdisha, World Bank funded)

About the Centre

The Centre of Excellence: Regional Development and Tribal Studies (COE-RDTS), Sambalpur University, Odisha is established in the year 2018 with a grant of 1 Crore from the Odisha Higher Education Program for Excellence and Equity (OHEPEE), Government of Odisha through Word Bank. The Centre of Excellence established itself as a primer regional institute for research and training in multi and trans-disciplinary research approaches in Western Odisha. Besides research activities, the Centre of Excellence also provides consultancy to the Government and Non-Government organizations and other academic institutions. The Centre of Excellence: Regional Development and Tribal Studies is under the administrative control of the Sambalpur University and Odisha Higher Education Program for Excellence and Equity (OHEPEE), Government of Odisha.

Mission and Vision of the COE: RDTS

The COE: RDTS will strive to be a centre of excellence on both tribal and non-tribal population and relevant issues through high research. This will be achieved by (a) generating and disseminating scientific knowledge and evidence, (b) collaboration and exchange of knowledge, and (c) advocacy and awareness

To establish COE: RDTS as a premier research keeping in view the geographical location of the Centre in the region, where there is acute poverty, underdevelopment, distress migration and social deprivation, the centre will take special care to address these problems through multi and trans disciplinary research approaches.

To study the nature and causes of underdevelopment, socio-economic vulnerability, social and cultural exclusion in tribal and non-tribal population in Western Odisha and to promote regional development by providing valuable inputs for policy intervention.

Generating and disseminating scientific knowledge and evidence

• Minimum of five research articles in SCOPUS Indexed journals
• Minimum of two new research project of national or international importance to be completed per year
• Organising once in a year an International or national conference focusing on policy or issues of current importance

Collaboration and exchange of knowledge

Explore and establish minimum of two collaborations programmes with Indian (Government/ Private Sector) institutions / organizations in research and short- term training

Research

The primary activity of the Centre is conducts a large number of research projects on various aspects of regional issues. The Centre also undertakes evaluative studies and large-scale surveys. Emphasis is given on studies related to inter-relationship of various social, cultural and economic components of tribal and non-tribal population.

Consultative Services

The Centre provides consultancy services and undertakes special studies on problems related to tribal and non-tribal population at the request of the Government of Odisha and World Bank. Given the expertise of the staff in various areas of population, research methodology, etc., an active effort is being made to let the organizations which need short term consultancy services, know about the availability of persons.

PROJECT MEMBERS

Prof. Sanjiv Mittal Vice-Chancellor	Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera Mentor, COE-RDTS	Prof. Arun Kumar Acharya Director, COE-RDTS

Principal Investigators and Participants

Prof. TattwamasiPaltasingh, Dept. ofSociology
Prof. Sanjukta Das, Dept. ofEconomics
Dr. SureshChandraMurmu, Dept. ofAnthropology
Dr. LopamudraMishra, Dept. ofEconomics
Dr. RashmiPramanik, Dept. ofAnthropology
Dr. Minaketan Bag, Dept. ofAnthropology, GMU
MadanBiswal, Dept. of Social Work
BandanaMeher, Dept. of Social Work

Staffs

Dr. Sanghamitra Panda, ResearchAssociate
SushreeSubhalaxmiBehera, ResearchAssistant
SanjibPatel, ResearchAssistant
RajeshKhamari, Office Assistant

For any Information please contact

Centre of Excellence
Regional Development and Tribal Studies
Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar
Burla – 768019 (India)
Email – rdtssu@suniv.ac.in
Mob - 8018809052