Centurion University’s Commitment to SDG 1: No Poverty
Centurion University: Alleviating Poverty through the CARES Framework for SDG 1
Centurion University is dedicated to eradicating poverty, aligning its efforts with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1). Through initiatives in community engagement, academic excellence, research, entrepreneurship, and social impact, the University is actively working towards alleviating poverty and empowering communities in India.
Community Engagement: Partnering with Community Organizations to Uplift Low-Income Groups
Centurion University works closely with local organizations and communities to ensure access to education and skill development for individuals from low-income areas. Smart classrooms equipped with cutting-edge technologies, such as embedded technical software, audio-visual support, and manufacturing facilities like 5-axis CNC machines, wood engineering labs, and apparel labs, are designed to provide practical and relevant training to marginalized communities. These initiatives promote employability and entrepreneurship, helping individuals escape the cycle of poverty.
Academic Excellence: Inclusive Education for Students from Low-Income Households.
Centurion University targets to admit students from the lowest 20% of household income brackets. The university colludes with the Government of India’s Reservation Laws, providing a considerable percentage of seats to the various categories of students such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. Since the University has been rendering its services across the various regions within India. It is targeting to uplift the demographic profile of the people by extending its services in the form of higher education. On account of achieving the targeted outcomes, Centurion University has been doing the following.
- Financial Aid and Scholarships: The University has evolved a vigorous financial aid system by itself and has also connected to various Government and Non-Government organizations for scholarships and grants in order to reach the particular needs of financially depressed students. Apart from it, the students who scored 90% and above marks in intermediate or at 10+2 level will be granted a scholarship worth of ₹ 25,000 per year sponsored by Aditham Lakshmana Rao and Seshamma Memorial Trust”.
- Application Fee Waivers: The University charges no tuition fee for low-income students. This encourages them to apply and explore their educational options.
- Support Services: The University extends exhaustive support services such as tutoring, counselling, mentoring and skill oriented programs to help the students from distinct backgrounds in order to make them to succeed academically and personally.
By executing these strategies, Centurion University not only enhancing the access to higher education for students from the lowest income profile but also extending the financial aid to decrease the educational inequality, fostering diversity, and promoting social mobility in India.
Research: Empowering Communities Through Global Initiatives
Centurion University’s role in the historic ‘Gajapati to Gabon’ initiative highlights its commitment to poverty alleviation through agricultural development. In collaboration with the Government of India, the University supports Gabon’s first Agri-SEZ project, which focuses on improving food security, promoting agricultural self-sufficiency, and enabling sustainable economic growth. This initiative not only benefits Gabon but also enhances India’s expertise in agricultural innovation, showcasing the University’s efforts in fostering cross-border knowledge exchange and sustainable development practices that help reduce poverty.
Entrepreneurship: Driving Economic Upliftment Through Skill Development
Centurion University partners with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to focus on skill development and livelihood-linked education. The University’s Innovation Agriculture Project spans 9 districts in tribal-dominated South Odisha and 3 districts in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, having trained over 2,700 farmers and 124 community resource persons to date. Through Project Atal, Centurion aims to double the income of 100,000 small and marginal farmers across 200 blocks in Odisha, with 70,000 farmers already benefiting from this initiative. The University, in collaboration with Gram Tarang, supports rice production through RNR (15048) controlled sugar variety for doubling farmers’ income, alongside partnerships like SEEDAP to train 3,000 farmers in Srikakulam, Vizianagram, and Vishakapatnam.
Additionally, the Apparel Manufacturing Lab offers skill development courses for differently-abled youth, particularly those from tribal communities, helping them gain employment or start entrepreneurial ventures. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals from marginalized groups are empowered to break free from poverty through economic opportunities.
All the Students and faculty at the University are instructed to have a scientific temper that promotes innovative ideas and business ventures.
Social Impact: Addressing Poverty Through Healthcare and Community Initiatives
Centurion University’s “Healthcare on Wheels” initiative, funded by LTIMindtree, delivers critical healthcare services, especially vision care, to rural areas of Vijayanagaram and Visakhapatnam This mobile healthcare unit targets communities living below the poverty line (BPL), ensuring access to quality healthcare for those who need it most.
In its mission to contribute to the well-being of the community, the University also organized four blood donation drives during the 2023-24 academic year, collecting 55 units of blood. These efforts not only promote health but also foster a spirit of social responsibility within the University community, benefiting the underprivileged and improving overall community health. Centurion University has extended efforts to acquire and work with various villages in this area. The ultimate goal of this endeavour is to help local farmers learn more about and be better at acquiring and using sustainable farming methods. This will help and improve the farming landscape in these communities in the long term and eradicate the poverty.
A Commitment to Poverty Alleviation
Centurion University’s commitment to SDG 1:
No Poverty reflects its holistic approach to education, skill development, and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships, inclusive educational policies, impactful research, and entrepreneurial support, the university actively contributes to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment. By addressing the root causes of poverty and providing tangible solutions, Centurion University is creating pathways for a brighter and more equitable future for all.
