Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Rotary International District 3190 (RI 3190) today announced the launch of the BASE (Bangalore Association for Science Education) -Sankya Learning Laboratory, a knowledge centre for children at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bangalore . The BASE Sankya learning lab is the second lab launched as part of the Sankya Plus program where HP awarded a grant of about Rupees Seventy two lakhs (150, 000 USD) towards creating learning labs and knowledge centres to connect schools along with HP hardware.
Present at the inaugural were eminent dignitaries including Shri Anand Vasant Asnotikar, the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Science and Technology, Shri M. N. Vidyashankar, Principal Secretary, e-Governance, Govt. of Karnataka, Dr. C. S. Shukre, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Shri. S. Nagendra District Governor, RI district 3190 and Shri Vivek Nagarkatti, Vice President, India Operations Global Business Services, Hewlett-Packard Company expressing their support to the project.
The project aims to network 750 schools connecting more than 4000 computers through these knowledge centres. More than 400 teachers have been trained in the basics of computers as part of this project. With the existing network of computers, the program will involve creating pre recorded virtual class room sessions delivered by some of the best teachers. Additionally, the Lab will also identify and deploy laboratory simulation packages that will compensate lack of good laboratory infrastructure in many schools or supplement existing infrastructure in other schools.
Speaking at the inaugural, Shri Anand Vasant Asnotikar, the Hon’ble Minister for Fisheries, Science and Technology said, “There is a large section of children who do not have access to basic education or facilities. The centre commends the partnership of RI 3190 and HP in the areas of education, computer literacy and development of scientific fervor, responding admirably to the diverse needs in our society”.
“The grant aims at transforming teaching through the use of computing and wireless technologies to create the classroom of tomorrow, today”, said Shri Vivek Nagarkatti, Vice President, India Operations Global Business Services, Hewlett-Packard Company. “We are pleased to partner with RI 3190 and BASE in our endeavor to further facilitate information and knowledge dissemination with the use of technology to a large section of children across the state”.
The BASE Sankya Learning laboratory will hold multiple workshops and projects for teachers and students. The projects will engage children with both academic and non academic learning; increase their interest in science and technology and help them to use the computer as a learning tool. The program is aimed at government and unaided schools where the penetration of computers is low.
Schools are encouraged to register for the programs to improve their pass percentages and the percentage of marks for individual students.
