United Way Bengaluru (UWB), an NGO focused on social issues that seek immediate and long-term attention, has set up digital classrooms in 21 pre-university government colleges in the district. In partnership with Zila Panchayat, Davangere, supported by Advanced Micro Devices India Pvt. Ltd. (AMD), these smart classrooms enhance coaching for students in the Davangere district.
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Ministry of Education (MoE), Govt. of India is the basis for students entering the engineering stream. Considered one of the toughest examinations in India, the JEE is the gateway for students to pursue engineering as a career. In recent years, the quality of coaching has become a crucial factor in the probability of students getting into college and the stream of their choice. Many students have to move cities to get quality training, which uproots them from their families and local communities; it is also a large financial burden for the families to sustain such an effort. These barriers are a key reason many students struggle to score well in the JEE.
Recognizing this gap in the system, the Zila Panchayat, Davangere embarked on bringing world-class infrastructure available in the metros to Davangere by expanding access to technology with new smart classrooms. The ease of access and locally available infrastructure aim to bring quality training infrastructure to those who otherwise could not afford to travel to metros and to girls who have an interest but could not find coaching infrastructure locally. It is anticipated that more than 6500 students studying in Davangere will benefit from these digital classrooms, opening up new opportunities and inspiring hope for a brighter future.
Speaking on the occasion, Gunjan Krishna (IAS), Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Karnataka, said:
Enhancing opportunities by providing quality learning is the cornerstone of increasing the per capita income of the district. The children in Davangere have the talent to outshine their peers if we can give them the same infrastructure that the others have. The effort made by United Way Bengaluru and AMD to come together and help enhance the possibility of children from the district becoming engineers is laudable.
United Way Bengaluru envisions a society where every individual and family can achieve their full potential by accessing quality education, attaining financial stability, preserving the environment, and developing rural economies by utilizing corporate grants to fulfil meaningful social responsibilities. The organization aims to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities worldwide.
In collaboration with United Way Bengaluru, in Chillabalabpur district of Karnataka, AMD also supported initiatives that strengthened access to resources like STEM labs for children studying in several government schools to encourage their participation in the fields of science and technology.
Jaya Jagadish, Country Head, AMD India & SVP, Silicon Design Engineering, added:
No child must have to live with the regret that they did not get the opportunity to improve their life. At AMD, we draw from the societies we live in, and Davangere is a prime example of how companies like AMD can build stronger and more resilient fraternities which contribute to nation-building. Through our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, AMD provides many such enablements in STEM leadership for students. We are proud to have this opportunity to give back to society.
Rajesh Krishnan, CEO of United Way Bengaluru, also commented:
United Way connects partners, donors, volunteers, and community leaders to tackle the root causes of the world’s most complex challenges while making a positive impact in the lives of millions of people. Together, we are taking meaningful steps to promote inclusive and accessible education, ensuring students have the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital age. The initiative of the Zila Panchayat will go a long way in bridging the gap and building talent while scaling the incomes in Davangere.
As a global technology leader, AMD dedicatedly drives philanthropic initiatives globally. In India, through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), it has maintained an unwavering commitment to working on several social causes with communities in need. The company actively supports various initiatives and collaborates with NGOs, pivoting on STEM Education, Skill Building and Employment Generation and Digital Literacy with a special focus on expanding representation in science and technology and access to quality education for underprivileged children.
