Building on the success of the initial phase, the expanded Vidya Vahini Program will deploy these educational vehicles across 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. These mobile units are designed to increase access to science education materials and hands-on experiments, particularly for students in remote and rural schools. The initiative is aligned with India's National Education Policy and focuses on improving the quality of education for students in these under-resourced areas.
The program was officially inaugurated by Sandeep Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Basic Education Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Also present at the inauguration were M K Shanmuga Sundaram, Principal Secretary, Basic Education Department, Uttar Pradesh, and senior officials from HMIL.
"Vidya Vahini Program is a unique initiative by Hyundai Motor India Foundation, and we appreciate the thoughtful approach of supporting students from distant areas of the society, who aspire to pursue and innovate in the field of science but are often left behind due to challenges of material availability in rural areas. Hyundai Motor India Foundation’s initiative is a positive approach towards promotion of education in India and I hope the initiative becomes a success and inspires others to do the same," said the Minister.
According to Puneet Anand, Vertical Head - Corporate Communication & Social, HMIL, "The Vidya Vahini program aims to nurture young minds and encouraging innovation in remote areas, where access to study material and scientific experiment models is a challenge. The first phase of Vidya Vahini has been very successful as 10,000 students across 5 districts of Uttar Pradesh have been directly benefited through this program. I hope that the program will enhance the knowledge and exposure level of science students studying in remote areas and will provide them with better opportunities for their future. We aim to empower the next generation in India and give every student an opportunity to expose themselves to the vast field of science."
The program will also include activities such as organizing science fairs across government district schools, providing platforms for students to showcase their innovative skills. Teachers will also receive training on the latest educational materials and scientific models, which will help them deliver updated education modules to students.
With Agastya Foundation as the implementation partner, the Vidya Vahini Program was launched in 2022 in districts such as Ghazipur, Shamli, Gonda, Lalitpur, and Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The initial phase proved to be successful, directly benefiting 10,000 students. These students were given access to modern study materials and various scientific experiments. Additionally, government school teachers received upskilling training to ensure sustained quality in education. During this phase, 48 science fairs were organized at the district level, encouraging students to participate and showcase their innovative skills.
The expansion of the program is expected to further its reach and impact, ensuring that more students in remote rural areas have the opportunities and resources to excel in science education. This initiative represents Hyundai Motor India Foundation's commitment to improving the educational landscape in rural India and helping students overcome the barriers posed by inadequate access to educational materials and facilities.
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