An article published in the Telangana Journal of Higher Education (TJHE), Vol. 1, No. 2 (July–December 2025) highlights an innovative model adopted by Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Degree Colleges (TGTWRDCs) to build global competence among tribal students. Authored by K. Seetha Lakshmi, IAS and G. Neeraja Sinha, the study presents a structured roadmap aligned with NEP 2020 and UGC guidelines on internationalisation.

The paper examines how TGTWREIS is expanding access to global learning opportunities for first-generation tribal learners through academic collaborations, virtual internationalisation, faculty capacity building, and global scholarship pathways. Initiatives include MoUs with reputed institutions, student exposure visits, participation in national and international academic forums, MOOCs, online seminars, industry-aligned skill programmes, and faculty development initiatives.

The study also addresses key challenges such as digital divide, language barriers, and limited global exposure, while emphasising culturally responsive approaches that integrate indigenous knowledge systems. By leveraging digital platforms, global partnerships, and institutional strengthening, TGTWREIS demonstrates how inclusive higher education can prepare tribal youth for participation in the global knowledge economy without compromising their cultural roots.

The TGTWRDC model serves as a scalable and replicable framework for other tribal and marginalised higher education institutions in India, showcasing that meaningful internationalisation is achievable through equity, accessibility, and institutional capacity building.

Read more: https://tgche.ac.in/telangana-journal-of-higher-education-tjhe/

Building Global Competence in Tribal Students:
A Model from Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Degree Colleges
(TGTWRDCs)