New Delhi, Apr 17 (IANS): The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (CNESPR) of the Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) has been recognized as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), the varsity said on Friday.

The CNESPR received its CoE status under the component 'Financial Assistance for support of Centre for Excellence" of the ministry.

The ministry has also sanctioned a grant of Rs 15 lakh to the CNESPR for a pilot study on 'Documenting the lifeworld of the Bhutias in Sikkim.'

This status will facilitate grant-in-aids to the Centre on the basis of approved research study and project proposals covering one of the areas listed by the ministry.

Professor Simi Malhotra, Director of the Centre, said "The CoE status envisioned to develop and strengthen institutional resource capabilities of the CNESPR at JMI in organising qualitative, action-oriented and policy research on tribal communities in an effort to uphold cultural diversity by empowering the Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities."

The policy-oriented research studies for the development of Scheduled Tribes (STs) communities of the country under the auspice of CoE status includes documentation of tribal cultures, women's rights in scheduled areas, creating awareness among Scheduled Tribes on various Acts & Rules, migration, displacement and resettlement affected by major projects.