MoU Signed Between Red Cross and Hartek Foundation for A.D.A.P.T Research Fellowship – Fellowship offers "Earn While You Learn" opportunity for youth: DC Ashika Jain – Selected fellows to receive stipend and contribute to policy-making

Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/june 27
Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the District Red Cross Society, Hoshiarpur, and the Mohali-based Hartek Foundation to launch the A.D.A.P.T Research Fellowship program. This initiative is being led by the Hartek Foundation, the CSR arm of the Hartek Group.
The DC stated that under this fellowship, the Hartek Foundation will provide a financial stipend to selected research fellows, who will work in collaboration with the district administration on various research and analytical projects. The objective of the fellowship is to enhance analytical, research, and administrative capacities within government departments.
To ensure effective implementation of the project, Assistant Commissioner Oishee Mandal (IAS) has been appointed as the nodal officer from the district administration, who will coordinate between the Red Cross Society and the Hartek Foundation.
The selection process for the fellowship will be carried out by the District Red Cross Society through print media, social media, and outreach to colleges and academic institutions. As per the eligibility criteria, applicants must be Indian citizens residing in India and must hold a postgraduate or technical degree in Economics, Statistics, Commerce, Mathematics (MA/MSc), or Computer Science (B.Tech/M.Tech). Preference will be given to candidates with experience in data analysis and policy research, and those proficient in tools such as Excel, Stata, R, or Python. At the time of selection, applicants must not be availing of any other fellowship.
The Deputy Commissioner added that the fellowship will be for a minimum duration of one year and may be extended based on performance. She described the initiative as a significant step in empowering youth with a "learn and earn" opportunity that allows them to engage directly with administrative projects and participate in the policy-making process.
District Red Cross Society Secretary Mangesh Sood shared that Hartek Group is one of India’s leading Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) companies, headquartered in Mohali, Punjab. The foundation aims to empower underprivileged communities by creating sustainable livelihoods and promoting inclusive development.
Present at the event were Hartek Foundation CEO Harkirat Kaur, DDF Zoya Siddiqui, Red Cross Society Joint Secretary Aditya Rana, and other officials.