BHUBANESWAR: Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (CoE ECD) will carry out research and suggest measures for increased access of children to quality school readiness, early stimulation, nutrition and health services.The centre was set up in Utkal University here by department of Psychology in collaboration with UNICEF. A letter of agreement was mutually signed and exchanged between Chief of Field Office UNICEF Yumi Bae and Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University Soumendra M Patnaik for a sustainable partnership of five years.
“Neuroscience offers compelling evidence that early childhood is a critical opportunity to shape brain development and function. It is during the early years that the brain develops most rapidly and contributes to healthy development of a child. While genes provide the blueprint for development, it is a child’s environment that influences the brain architecture through stimulation for optimum learning, health and nutrition during the early years,” said HoD, Psychology, Bhaswati Patnaik. The Centre aims to take up research, evidence-based advocacy and programme communications for children in the age group of 0 to 8, she added.
The centre will be equipped with a designated Chair Professor, a highly technical team of professionals and research associates and will be guided by an advisory committee and technical committees for specific interventions.UNICEF will provide `5 crore during the five-year period to take up research work on early childhood development through this centre, Patnaik said.“UNICEF has facilitated a strong foundation for early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Odisha by actively engaging with the State Government, now we will attempt to bridge the gap between research and practice through the new initiative,” Bae said.