HCL Foundation launches ‘Tech-on-Wheels’, a unique education and learning platform in Nagpur in partnership with Masoom NGO

New Delhi: HCL Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of HCL Technologies, in partnership with Masoom NGO, inaugurated the ‘Tech-on-Wheels’ initiative in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The event was attended by Ms. Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation and Dr. Pravin Joshi, Prerna Seva Mandal, HCL Foundation team members, officials from Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Trustees of Night Schools, NGO partners and teachers.

Tech-on-Wheels is a unique platform through which educational & learning opportunities will be provided to youth and children from underserved communities. Tech-on-Wheels bus will be equipped with computers, online resources and innovative educational material.

Designed like a classroom on wheels, ‘Tech-on-Wheels’ will provide computer access to 28 students per batch. The curriculum also includes video game development, graphic designing, 3D printing, web designing, computer courses and mobile application development.

This will cater to students from five-night schools, 19 NMC schools and will slowly extend to five slum communities at Nagpur

In the next one year, this initiative will be able to provide education, growth and development opportunities to over 500 students between age group 12-16 and aspiring youth between age group 18-35.

The classes will be run in batches. There will be day as well as night classes so that youth from communities who are engaged during the day can also attend these classes at night.

The students will be able to access a pool of references and study material related to STEM education.

Responding to the request from Education Department, the bus will augment the need of a computer lab for the 19 Nagpur Municipal Corporation Schools in the first phase.

HCL Foundation (HCLF) was established in 2011 as the CSR arm of HCL Technologies. It is a not for-profit- organization, that strives to contribute towards national and international development goals, bringing about lasting positive impact in the lives of people, through long term sustainable programs. The foundation aims to alleviate poverty and achieve inclusive growth and development. Active community engagement ensures optimal long-term gains and upward accountability. HCL Foundation works through Life Cycle Based, Integrated Community Development Approach with thematic focus on Education, Health, Skill Development & Livelihood, Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction & Response. Child protective strategies, inclusion and gender transformative approaches remain central in all initiatives of HCL Foundation, thus ensuring comprehensive development.

Presently HCL Foundation is implementing five flagship programs, namely HCL Samuday & HCL Grant – Rural Development programs; HCL Uday & Clean Noida – Urban Development programs; HCL Harit (The Green Initiative) – Environment Action program and 4 special initiatives – Power of One, Sports for Change, HCL Foundation Academy and My E-Haat. For more details, please visit our website https://www.hclfoundation.org/

Ms. Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCL Foundation, “The Tech-on-Wheel mobile bus will provide access to STEM learning and an exposure to emerging technologies for young students from disadvantaged communities. We hope that this will inspire the students to explore career in technology. At HCL Foundation it’s our constant endeavor to create opportunities for communities we work with. We are thankful to the Education Department of Nagpur, Nagpur Municipal Corporation and our NGO partners for their support on the project.”