Minister Dhanasari Anasuya (Seethakka) called upon IT companies to prioritise the educational needs of tribal and rural areas through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Speaking at the HYSEA Education Conclave 2024 held at the Infosys facility in Gachibowli, she emphasized the importance of bridging the educational gap in India’s rural regions and urged corporations to adopt villages and provide quality education.
The conclave, hosted by HYSEA (Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association) in collaboration with NIRMAAN organization, revolved around the theme ‘Leveraging Technology to Democratize Education.’
The event brought together leaders from the IT/ITES industry, government officials and education experts to discuss solutions for making education more accessible and technology-driven.
HYSEA President Prashanth Nandella highlighted the organization’s Disruptive Digital Intervention (DDI) programme, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and curricula in government schools.
He said that HYSEA’s goal is to extend the programme to 330 schools across Telangana, ensuring that marginalized communities are equipped with tools for a brighter future.
During her address, Seethakka pointed out the educational disparity faced by rural areas and asked corporations to make meaningful investments in tribal and rural regions to ensure equitable access to education.
She stressed the need for collaboration between the government, companies and NGOs to achieve this.
Eighteen companies were honoured at the event for their contributions to the DDI programme, which has successfully impacted over 20,000 students directly and around 1.6 lakh students indirectly by setting up 40 Digital Labs across Telangana. Companies like Infosys, Microsoft India R&D Pvt Ltd, and HCL Technologies were among those honoured.
Akunuri Murali, IAS (Retd), Chairman of the Education Commission of Telangana, while addressing the gathering said that the focus must be on preparing students for the future with emphasis on skill development, employability and fostering an entrepreneurial mind.
The event featured panel discussions on taking education to rural areas and the role of technology in democratizing education. Government officials, IT leaders, and education experts participated in these discussions, exploring the potential of technology to overcome infrastructural challenges and promote inclusive education.
IT companies must focus on education in tribal, rural areas: Seethakka
