Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Education and Technology
As I travel the world exploring various methods that other
Countries are improving and implementing the current models of broadband
deployment, access, and training to bridge the global digital divide, I am more
and more coming to the firm understanding that education and technology have to
go hand in hand. Now this is not a new
concept or idea, but what types of educational content that will be effective
in truly presenting underserved citizens with empowering uses of the Internet,
will be key in this fight to connect every home and person on a global
level. You can not have technology
without the complement of educational content in order to address digital
divide impediments. On the other hand, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg
in how technology will be the one uniting factor to fuel, progress, and advance
future and impacting educational initiatives around the world. Thus, the quest for the right model
continues…..
Indian Institute of Management
Bangalore (IIMB) http://www.iimb.ernet.in/
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore is India’s comparative to
Wharton in the United States. A
100-acre oasis in south Bangalore, the IIMB, with its all-stone architecture,
lush verdant woods and landscaped gardens provides an idyllic environment to
engage in management studies, academics and learning. Located in India’s high
technology capital, IIMB is in close proximity to some of the leading corporate
houses in the country, ranging from information technology to consumer product
companies, giving it the added advantage of integrating classroom knowledge
with practical experience.
IIMB was established
in 1973, the Institute has since then built on its base of highly accomplished
faculty, world class infrastructure and motivated student body to emerge as one
of the premier institutes for management education and research promoting
managerial excellence in the country. IIMB
strives to achieve excellence through partnerships with industry, and leading
academic institutions, the world over. IIMB’s mission is to “build leaders
through holistic, transformative and innovative education.”
Dr. Rajeev
Gowda, the Chairperson for the Centre for Public Policy and Professor of
Economics and Social Sciences, invited me to speak to the IIMB Women’s
Entrepreneur group on a very beautiful Friday afternoon. I had the opportunity to speak and make a
presentation to about 25 young IIMB women entrepreneurs, policy researchers,
and various students of differing disciplines, about Wilco, our business, the
Eisenhower Fellowship program, technology and the national and local broadband
initiatives taking place in the US. This
was my first time as a guest speaker at an academic institution of such high
repute. Loved the opportunity.
Especially was overjoyed to have a conversation and dialogue with young Indian
women about these issues and hear what concerns, questions, and feedback they
had in regards to deployment and processes in the United States.
In the end, I
received some tough questions from this very energetic and engaged group that
has lead me to further hone the supposed outcomes and what exactly needs to be
assessed from this our broadband efforts in the States. Overall, a great way to
end the week and my time in Bangalore.
Thank you Ladies!
You made my day.
International Institute of Information
Technology Bangalore ( IIIT-b) http://www.iiitb.ac.in/
The International Institute of Information
Technology, a Deemed University, popularly known as IIIT-B, was established in
1999 with a vision to contribute to the IT world by focusing on education and
research, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Since its inception, IIIT-B, with
its unique model of education, research, and industry interaction, has grown in
stature to become an institution of considerable repute in academic as well as
corporate circles.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet
Professor S. Sadagopan, The Director of IIT-b, and about 5 other professors at
to share and discuss the Eisenhower Program, my proposed objectives, Wilco, our
missions and goals for growth, and to discuss overall, technology in India and
what can be utilized in the US marketplace.
Professor Sadagopan and his colleagues were
very versed and extremely knowledgeable about what is going on globally in technology
and where India takes its place in this vast eco system. During our discussion, the suggestion that
corporations or businesses who are part of these digital divide private /
public partnerships must be able to employ or offer employment to underserved
communities after they have completed training, if jobs are going to be an
assessment factor for the success of these government funded initiatives. In addition, computer based “task centric”
assessments should also be a considering factor when including specific action
items associated with success and outcomes of these broadband/ digital divide
partnerships as well. This will help to
justify the need for additional government funding if specific outcomes are
able to articulated, monitored, and met.
Thank you IIIT-b! Great conversation on many
different levels.
Shristi
School of Art, Design, and Technology http://srishti.ac.in/
Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology was founded
in 1996 by the Ujwal Trust with the objective of providing art and design
education in an environment of creativity to maximize the individual’s
potential. Srishti's mission is facilitated by its organizational structure – a
“community of learners” comprising industry-experienced faculty and energetic
students who continually explore and experiment with art and design pedagogies,
aesthetics, values and innovative practices.
Srishti has a strong indigenous cultural grounding in the
teaching of the visual arts and also provides a liberal arts curriculum
comparable to reputed institutions in the West. Srishti is interfacing with
institutions across the world with a vision for and commitment to quality
education through new technologies and pedagogies.
Through the Artists-in-Residence and Research Associate
programmes, Srishti supports new and critical innovations in the field of art
and culture using real world projects to enable an integrated cognition of the
design and communication arena, facilitating at times an environment where one
can “earn and learn”.
I ended my week long list of meetings in Bangalore at a
place which is surrounded by one of my favorite things, arts and culture. Indira Chowdury who is a professor at Shristi
and a Center For Advanced Study of India Fellow through the University of
Pennsylvania, invited me to the campus to meet several professors and
technologists who engage in learning, research, and the education of students
through creative and innovative methods.
While at Shristi, I met with Warren Greving and Girish
Prabhu who run the Shristi labs group out of the campus. Their mission lobo says it all “ enriching
the early phase of innovation”.
Essentially, under the leadership of Warren, who is an US ex-pat who has
basically settled in India for the last 10 years, conducts research in the
rural India that deal with technology for corporations, organizations,
institutions, etc.. The conversation I
had with Warren and his team was very beneficial in regards to how to assess
our marketplace and their needs and success in digital divide initiatives. Content surveys were suggested. As well as
broad levels of group sharing in order to not only cut down on theft of service
but begin innovative ways to engage the community we serve. Overall a great conversation that again,
helped to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Lastly, I was able to visit two classrooms in engaged in
creative and innovative learning. One class had the students drawing art forms
that they were learning from local artisans to increase technology models of
education in the labs. So cool to see
this! I also visited a school and classroom for under-privileged children that
were engaging in textile and embroidery making in order to enhance the
educational outcomes and successes of the various creative and innovative
curriculum models. These kids were the
highlight of the week. Loved talking to them, laughing with them, and seeing
their faces glow after creating pieces of beautiful art and innovation.
Thank you Indira! A great way to cap a wonderful and
blessed week in “India’s Silicon Valley”
Goodbye Bangalore!
B
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