Here is a CSR programme aiming to empower the underprivileged students in this tech-savvy new millennium. Some time ago, Applied Materials Inc, in an attempt to bridge the digital and educational divide rolled out a programme called Digital Equaliser (DE) for underprivileged school children across Karnataka.

The idea

The program was designed to improve teaching and learning through effective integration of computer technology into the regular curriculum. The aim of this project was to provide self-sustaining computer centres and computer education in the hinterlands.

And now the company has gone a step ahead by launching India’s first ‘Solar Digital Equaliser Centre’ to meet power challenges at rural schools. Michael R Splinter, president and CEO, Applied Materials, inaugurated India’s first Solar DE Centre at the Kadabagere Government High School in Bangalore recently.

Solar-enabled DE

The solar-enabled DE centre will deal with the power shortage that this school faces for four to six hours on a daily basis, by providing 3.84 kilo watts of reliable, low-cost, maintenance free power. The solar energy will generate electricity for five to six hours and will meet the needs of the school during times of power disruption.

Applied Materials partnered with American India Foundation to promote DE in government aided schools in Karnataka.

The DE centres are open during off-school hours and used for a variety of community activities. Summer camps are also organised for student and teachers from neighbouring schools to get exposed to technology. A samaritan attempt to bring rural children closer to technology and helping them move towards the digital age.