Cognizant Foundation donates to Gandhigram Trust a novel Science Gallery for rural students powered by Q.E.D
Chennai, India, August 11, 2014: Cognizant Foundation – the CSR arm of Cognizant, the Consulting, IT and BPO major has funded the setting up of a Science Gallery (named after Dr T. S. Soundram) in Thambithottam Higher Secondary School, Gandhigram . The Q.E.D. Science gallery is a state of art science lab which will provide students with an opportunity to develop their skills through experiential science learning.
Today, Shri. N. R. Krishnan, I.A.S. (Retd.) and Dr. S. Ramamurthy – Directors of Cognizant Foundation, formally dedicated the Science Gallery in the presence of Trustees of Gandhigram Trust and Mr. Krishna Srinivasan, Founder and Chairman, Everest Edusys and Solutions, Pvt. Ltd.
This gallery offers over 100 science concepts based working models and exhibits that facilitate hands –on science learning. This program will provide the rural students of the area with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of science and increase their creativity through newer learning methodologies, on par with urban students. It will also improve the competitive skills of these students in areas like: model making, problem solving, presentation skills etc. and build pride and high self-esteem in them.
CEO of Cognizant Foundation Madhavan said, “Gandhigram Trust has been rendering yeoman services to the community in various spheres. Cognizant Foundation is very happy to associate with them and support their initiatives in bringing quality science education to the rural children by establishing a novel Q.E.D. Science gallery at Thambithottam Higher Secondary School. We are also very glad to partner with Everest Edusys & Solutions, who have conceptualized and produced this Science gallery with a wide range of hands – on science learning aids for the benefit of students of this School as also from the nearby outreach Schools. We sincerely hope that this Science gallery will greatly enhance the learning as well as teaching experience of the students and teachers alike.”
Secretary of Gandhigram Trust K Shivakumar said, “We would like to thank Cognizant Foundation for identifying very clearly the needs of the village students. The Science Gallery set up with their support has created an excellent opportunity for the rural students since it matches with the facilities available to urban students.”
Founder and Chairman of Everest Edusys and Solutions Krishna Srinivasan said, “Sustainable social changes in every sector are possible and scalable only when service providers, donors and change agents at the grass root level come together. We are delighted to be part of this noble initiative, and on this momentous day, we pledge our commitment to bring 21st Century Learning methods, innovation and quality in education by setting up a QED Teachers Learn Lab at Lakshmi College of Education, Gandhigram. We are grateful to the Gandhigram trust for giving us this opportunity and accepting our small contribution to their yeoman service.
We will work with more such collaborative establishments to create Learn Labs at Teachers training colleges in every district in the next six months. We look forward to more and more such CSR partnerships to lend meaning to our journey as a unique social venture in education.”
