Tripura CM Flags off NIIT MindChampion Academy Initiative in the
State
Agartala, June 04, 2007: Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri
Manik Sarkar today flagged off NIIT’s MindChampions Academy initiative in 28
Government Schools in the state of Tripura. NIIT MindChampions Academy is a
joint initiative of the IT training pioneer NIIT and chess ace Viswanathan
Anand, that exposes students in the age group of 6-15 years to the world of
Chess.
NIIT MindChampions Academy today, is being launched in 28 schools in the
state and been successfully introduced in nearly 4000 schools across the
country, thus exposing students in the age group of 6-15 years to the world of
Chess.
Marking the symbolic launch of the academy in the state, Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Tripura, Shri. Manik Sarkar and World No.1 Viswanathan Anand made
their first moves in a game of Chess and distributed MCA kits to the Principals
of the identified 28 Government Schools.
Speaking at the launch, Hon’ble Chief Minister exhorted the young learners
to imbibe computer skills and participate in the emerging knowledge era. He
hoped that initiatives like these will go a long way in making computer and
computer aided education accessible to learners in remote areas of the
state.
Shri Kesab Majumdar, Hon’ble Minister of Revenue, Education, Law, Youth
Affairs & Sports also joined the Chief Minister in highlighting the
importance of promoting ICT in education at the school level. Shri Hiralal
Chakraborty, IAS, Director School Education & SPD, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan,
Tripura, Sri D. Dutta, Director, SCERT, Tripura & Sri. Kishor Ambuly, IAS
DM, West Tripura were present among other senior dignitaries from the
State.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. L. Balasubramanian, President, NIIT K-12,
said, “We are happy to be a part of this revolution to develop ICT
enabled education for school children in Tripura. NIIT’s initiative of
introducing ICT enabled education at school level is an essential step towards
arming them with tools to excel in their career and life. Computer-aided
education not only helps raise the standards of learning in school, it has also
been proven that it enhances performance level of students in other
areas.”
NIIT has been providing computer education and computer assisted education
in partnership with the state government under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Mission
of the state of Tripura.
Speaking at the launch of NIIT MindChampions Academy, World No.1
Viswanathan Anand said, “India today is a reckoning economic force that
has already made its mark in the global IT services business. However, we still
have to create the same kind of magic in Sports.”
“I am happy to say that since the launch of NIIT MindChampions
Academy in 2003, the game of chess has gained popularity. I am hopeful that
with the launch of the Academy in schools across the states, we will see more
young talent embracing this mind game and one day they will go on to play for
the country on the world level”, he further added.
Launched in 2003 with an objective of initiating students into the world of
Chess, NIIT MindChampions Academy has today fostered nearly 4000 clubs with more
than 70000 students as its members in schools where NIIT offers computer
education.
The students use computer-based tutorials, during and after school as a
virtual playfield to hone their skills in the game of Chess. Apart from
tutorials, promising Chess players get an opportunity to interact with NIIT
Brand Ambassador and Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand, in person at regular
intervals.
Leveraging its inherent strength in technology, NIIT MindChampions Academy
has created a virtual community of Chess enthusiasts in the country. The Academy
has Viswanathan Anand, NIIT Group Chairman Rajendra S. Pawar and President of
NIIT K12 L. Balasubramanian and few eminent world Chess personalities on its
Advisory Board.
About NIIT K-12
NIIT through its K-12 division is reaching 1.4 million kids in nearly 3800
government and private schools, equipping them with crucial IT skills to prepare
them for tomorrow’s knowledge society. NIIT is working actively to make
computers an intrinsic part of the lives of children and also those of the
socially and economically challenged sections of the society, who may never have
had a chance to integrate with the emerging 21st century environment, to give a
better prospect to their future. NIIT has been providing computer and
computer-aided education in State Govt. schools in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya,
Tripura and Noida (UP).
About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s largest IT trainer, offers learning and knowledge solutions in
30 countries. NIIT together with the recently acquired Element K is now the
first and the best choice for comprehensive learning solutions, worldwide.
Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the Top IT Training
Company Award 2006. Rated among India’s Superbrands (2003-05), NIIT’s education
offerings include: GNIIT, an industry-endorsed program for students seeking
careers in the IT segments; Integrated ANIIT for Engineers (IAE)—a dual
qualification program for engineering students under the NIIT Edgeineers series
of training programs on advanced technologies for IT professionals and skill up
gradation programs for engineering graduates. NIIT also offers a turnkey IT
integration program that provides computer-based learning in 3,906 government
and private schools.
In the Corporate Solutions Business, NIIT’s offerings are bolstered by its
SEI CMM Level 5 assessed learning services capability. The Corporate Solutions
Business offers integrated learning solutions that include strategic consulting,
learning design, content development, learning delivery, learning technology
services and learning administration.
NIIT’s customers include many Fortune 500 companies, universities,
technology companies, training corporations and publishing houses.
For media queries, please contact:
Prateek Chatterjee, NIIT Limited, Ph: +91 124 4293041; Fax: +91 124
4293333;
Shivanjali Singh, NIIT Limited, Ph: +91 124 4293044; Fax: +91 124 4293333;