Shillong, April 30: NTPC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Ri-Bhoi District Administration for the establishment of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) laboratories in 27 government schools across the district under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in the North East.
The agreement was formalised on Wednesday at the District Administration office in Ri-Bhoi, marking a significant step towards strengthening educational infrastructure and promoting experiential learning in Meghalaya.
The MoA signing ceremony was attended by Abhilash Baranwal, Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, and Amit Kr. Asthana, Head of HR, NTPC Bongaigaon, Assam. Other officials present included Sailand G Momin, Madhurjya Singha Lahkar, and Smriti Das.
Under the initiative, NTPC will provide financial assistance of up to ₹1.48 crore for setting up fully equipped STEM laboratories aimed at enhancing scientific temperament, creativity, and problem-solving skills among students.
The project will include infrastructure development, procurement of modern STEM kits, teacher training, and ongoing maintenance support. The District Administration will act as the implementing agency, overseeing execution, procurement, quality assurance, and coordination with beneficiary schools.
NTPC, as the funding agency, will monitor the project through periodic reviews, site inspections, and impact assessments to ensure effective implementation.
The STEM labs will be set up within existing school infrastructure and will feature advanced learning tools such as robotics kits, renewable energy models, electronics modules, and digital learning aids. The initiative also includes structured teacher training programmes and assessment mechanisms to evaluate learning outcomes.
The project is expected to benefit a large number of students across Ri-Bhoi district by providing hands-on exposure to scientific concepts and fostering innovation at the grassroots level.
The collaboration aligns with national priorities to promote STEM education and build future-ready skills, particularly in underserved regions, while reinforcing NTPC’s commitment to community development through education and capacity-building initiatives.
