Agastya International Foundation Wins the 2013 Manthan Award for its i-Mobile Lab, a Digital Innovation Powered by Dell
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
-- Designed by Dell in partnership with Agastya, the i-Mobile Lab is an educational vehicle equipped with the latest in digital technology to help blend science and ICT learning
-- Agastya International Foundation received the Manthan award for its contribution to digital empowerment in e-education, learning and employment
Agastya International Foundation has won the 2013 Manthan Award South Asia & Asia Pacific for its i-Mobile Lab, a unique technology based-education initiative powered by Dell Youth Learning (Dell’s signature program to give underserved students access to technology based learning). The i-Mobile Lab is a specially designed educational vehicle equipped with the latest digital technology to help students blend science and ICT learning on a single platform. At the Manthan Awards, Agastya International Foundation was recognized for its unique contribution towards fostering digital empowerment in e-education, learning and employment.
Dell’s strong partnership with Agastya International Foundation has helped bring about an improvement in digital literacy skills and science learning outcomes of over 600 children through the use of the i-Mobile Lab. The i-Mobile Lab, launched in 2012 by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, provides school children with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of science and cement their IT skills. Currently running in 3 cities, the i-Mobile Lab uses an integrated digital curriculum comprising hands-on science models and digital equipment to address the lack of science and computer labs in economically disadvantaged schools in India.
The Manthan Award is a first of its kind initiative to recognize the BEST use of ICT and digital tools to create holistic and comprehensive impact on people. A total of 430 nominations were received across 36 countries for 39 awards in 12 categories.
“Our partnership with Dell has been critical in realizing our objective of imparting technology enabled education to the underserved. The i-Mobile Lab, powered by Dell in Coimbatore, Noida and Bangalore have helped spark creativity and curiosity among students by using an integrated mix of traditional and digital approaches to facilitate easy learning. Adding value to the initiative are Dell volunteers who are actively involved in providing technical and logistical support towards the success of this initiative.” Ramji Raghavan, Founder-Chairman, Agastya International Foundation.
“We are delighted that Agastya International Foundation is the proud recipient of the prestigious Manthan award. The award is a true validation of the success of the Dell Youth Learning initiative and our strong partnerships with community-based, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations across India and the globe. As with any learning partner, Dell goes beyond providing state-of-the-art Dell technology and also offers the expertise to implement it, supporting students with access to the latest technology and learning opportunities.” Rajeev Kapoor, Executive Director – Finance and India Champion, Dell Giving Initiatives, Dell India.
The Youth Learning initiative is a component of Dell’s new 2020 Legacy of Good Plan and Powering the Possible, a long-term framework to aggregate and accelerate the ways that Dell and its IT solutions help customers, Dell team members and communities make lasting contributions to the planet and society.
As part of Dell’s 2020 Legacy of Good Plan, Dell plans to help 3 million youth directly and support 10 million people indirectly over the next seven years. The company also plans to support youth learning partners with help from team members looking to engage in community service as the company plans to provide five million cumulative hours of service to outside organizations by 2020. As a global technology leader, Dell believes it can be a powerful force for good and help provide young people with a more promising future.
About Dell
Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. Powering the Possible is Dell’s commitment to put technology and expertise to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet. Dell acts to strengthen communities, preserve the environment, engage a diverse and inclusive workforce, and ensure supply chain responsibility. Learn more at www.dell.com/poweringthepossible; www.dell.com.
About Agastya International Foundation
Agastya International Foundation is a not for profit charitable educational trust that seeks to transform and stimulate the thinking of economically disadvantaged children. Agastya achieves its goals by bringing innovative science education to the doorstep of Government schools in currently 13 states in India. Agastya offers disadvantaged children access to dynamic hands-on education that makes learning fun, encourages questioning, enhances understanding, and fosters creative-thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. For more information visit www.agastya.org
Media Contact Details
Ajay Arora, Dell, ,+919810383663 , Ajay_Arora@Dell.com
Nikhila Kesavan, 20:20 MSL, ,+919840124036 , Nikhila.kesavan@2020msl.com
Zamira Tasneem, 20:20 MSL, ,+919790908177 , Zamira.tasneem@2020msl.com
Tags: Agastya International Foundation
I-Mobile Lab
Digital Innovation
Dell
Manthan Award
