Intel launches unique teacher trg program

As part of its ‘Empowering Lives’ campaign, Intel India felicitated schools, principals, students, NGOs and other government organizations who have excelled in integrating technology in learning. Intel India in association with the Department of State Education Research (DSERT), Government of Karnataka, also honored teachers trained in the state through the Intel® Teach program, a worldwide program designed to improve teaching and learning through effective integration of computer technology in classroom curricula. Additionally, in a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the company announced the Intel Teach - Sarva Shikasha Abhiyan (SSA) Karnataka collaboration to launch an open source based teacher training program for primary schools in the state.

At the event, Intel felicitated the seven schools, 14 outstanding teachers and 14 student groups from computerized government schools who had previously been declared winners of the fourth “Technology in Education” contest jointly conducted by Intel and the DSERT. These teachers and students, largely from rural areas, were applauded for their unparallel enthusiasm in promoting technology supported innovative teaching and learning methods.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Bedi, Director, Corporate Affairs, Intel South Asia and India Business Operations Manager, said, “The ‘Empowering Lives’ campaign is intended to encourage activities that help drive progress for the citizens of the country through partnerships with various government and private bodies.  Technology is an integral part of today’s environment and the single biggest agent of change. We are proud to bring these initiatives to the people of Karnataka, in collaboration with the state government, and will continue to expand this program throughout the state.”

Intel also announced that it has signed a MoU with SSA Karnataka to train 1000 Block Resource Teacher Educators in the state as master trainers. The master trainers in turn will train close to 10000 teachers from computerized primary schools within the state. The teacher training curriculum, based on open source, trains the teachers on the effective use of technology in the teaching process in order to promote 21st century learning skills.

According to M.N. Baig, Director, DSERT, “Intel has been proactively collaborating with us over the last seven years through its various innovative initiatives like the Intel Teach Program and the Volunteer Matching Grant Program. The Master Trainers trained by Intel are valuable resource persons in the schools for ICT in Education activities. The program has added immense value to the teaching practices, especially in promoting Technology Supported Project Based Learning among students of Karnataka.”

Additionally, Intel honored its local NGO partners including Prerna, Swayam and CEEIC for their outstanding contribution to Intel community programs and felicitated lecturers from engineering colleges of Karnataka who have supported the Intel Higher Education program. 

Intel also released its South Asia CSR newsletter “INITIATIVE” which showcases its initiatives to boost School Education, Higher Education and community programs in South Asia.

In Karnataka, under the Intel Teach program more than 19000 teachers have been trained on the judicious use of technology in education. Intel is collaborating with selected academic institutions on various technology programs to promote a industry-academia relationship that will fuel the overall ecosystem growth and development. Additionally, under the Intel community outreach program, Intel works with various NGOs and supports computer education and other programs of various community interest.