The ‘Akshaya' model of e-services delivery will now provide Intel's latest curriculum module ‘Technology and Entrepreneurship' (TEN) through its 2,200 customer service centres (CSCs) across Kerala.

Mr Anjan Ghosh, Regional Director - Corporate Affairs, Asia-Pacific, Intel, launched the curriculum at a grassroots stakeholder roundtable held here on Tuesday.

BASIC CONCEPTS

The roundtable on ‘ICT as enabler for sustained socio-economic transformation in Kerala' was jointly organised by Akshaya and Intel.

The roundtable highlighted the diverse sustainability pillars and supporting systems leading to sustainability of the Akshaya centres.

The Technology and Entrepreneurship course introduces learners to basic concepts and process of entrepreneurship, and demonstrates how technology can be used to advance a business idea.

Using internet tools and office applications, learners research and formulate a business idea, and create and present a business plan for the same.

EARLIER PROGRAMME

Intel had launched an e-literacy programme in 2005 through Akshaya and the multinational giant has empowered 86,000 students in Kerala in the age group of 8-16 yrs.

This programme was aimed at reaching out to the children and adolescents in communities with limited or no access to technology.

It was designed to encourage and develop technology skills, critical thinking and collaboration among learners through effective community based education, propagated by successful models of learning outside the formal school setting.

“Our association with Kerala IT has reaped huge benefits not just for the students in Kerala but also to Intel's learning initiative,” Mr Ghosh said.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The whole programme and its execution through various Akshaya centres have been a learning experience on how non-formal education system has come to have a better and farther reach through the right platform.

“This is something that we can take back and try to implement in other Asia Pacific countries as well,” Mr Ghosh said. Intel would now seek to replicate this success in the entrepreneurship space.

“Having launched this new course, we are eager to associate with Kerala IT more and see how we can empower the women of the State.”

According to Ms Ishita Roy, Director, Kerala State IT Mission, having empowered a section of the populace through the Intel Learn Programme, the next step is to take this association with Intel to encourage entrepreneurship amongst youngsters between 18-25 years.

NEXT STEP

The new curriculum being introduced through Akshaya is a step in this direction. “We are also working on getting this course certified by the Indira Gandhi National Open University , Ms Roy said.

The Intel Learn programme has been a major trigger in the growth and sustainability of Akshaya, according to Mr Korath V. Mathew, Director, Akshaya.

“This has also inspired us into looking at various effective learning methodologies and work towards empowering the citizens of the State through the Akshaya network”, he added.

The roundtable had various presentations on how information and communication technology can enable major growth in various sectors in Kerala.

VARIOUS PRESENTATIONS

Among those who made the presentations were Mr Anwar Sadath, Director, IT@School; Dr Rathan U. Kelkar, Director, Department of Urban Affairs, Local Self Government; Mr K. Suresh Kumar, Secretary, IT.

Other speakers included Mr Kishore Balaji, Head, Corporate Affairs, Intel, South Asia; Mr Anshul Sonak, South Asia Education Manager, Intel; and Ms Shatarupa Dasgupta, Programme Manager, Intel Learning Programme, India.

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