Date:07/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110758780200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Bringing IT in the process of learning and teaching

Staff Reporter

Digital Equaliser programme inaugurated at Dr.Guruswamy Mudaliar TTV School

— Photo: K.Pichumani

NEW ERA: Mark Walker, CEO of Applied Materials Inc., and M.Palanisamy, Chief Educational Officer, Chennai district, at the inauguration of the Digital Equaliser lab at Dr.Guruswamy Mudaliyar TTV Higher Secondary School in George Town on Thursday.

CHENNAI: In an effort to introduce information and communication technology in the process of learning and teaching, a Digital Equaliser Centre, sponsored by Applied Materials Inc., was inaugurated at the Dr.Guruswamy Mudaliar TTV School on Amman Koil Street at George Town here on Thursday.

The centre has been set up by the American India Foundation (AIF), which, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, is implementing the Digital Equaliser programme in 150 schools in nine tsunami affected districts in the State.

Mark Walker, CEO of Applied Materials Inc., who inaugurated the centre, hoped that the knowledge gained by the students would encourage them to become advocates of their school and their community to bring about a better life.

He said that the company, which operated in 18 countries with a total of 14,000 employees, aimed at providing access to technology to socially and economically disadvantaged students.

George Kennedy, State team leader of AIF, said the Foundation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the State government to take care of 150 schools. “During the three-year programme, AIF will be training the students and teachers in using computers, and with the basic IT skills they will be taught to modify their curriculum through small projects.”

Chief Educational Officer of Chennai district M.Palanisamy said that the State government was taking steps to provide computers to all high and higher secondary schools.

Honorary secretary of the School, Ram Viswanathan, said that the institution, which was 57 years old, had 1050 students. The school, managed by the TTV Schools Committee, was founded by Dr.Guruswamy Mudaliar, who was the first Indian Dean of the Madras Medical College.