- Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya, Bangalore and Jagu
Rajesh from ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh
Adjudged as Winners
- Over 4.5 Lakh Students Across India Compete for the Coveted
Chess Master 2009 Title
- Online Survey Highlights the Positive Impact of Chess on
Academics
Bangalore, December 19, 2009: The winners of South Zone
Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy (MCA), were felicitated by World Chess
Champion and NIIT MindChampion Viswanathan Anand at Bangalore today. Mrs. Sudha
Murthy, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation graced the occasion as the Chief
Guest.
Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya, Bangalore and Jagu Rajesh from
ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh were
adjudged as the winners of South Zone Finals of the NIIT MindChampions Academy
- Chess Master 2009.
NIIT MindChampions Academy is a joint initiative by NIIT, a leading Global
Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s largest IT Trainer, and World Chess
Champion Viswanathan Anand to initiate young minds into the World of Chess.
This year NIIT MindChampions Academy has witnessed participation of over
4.5 lakh students from across the country for Chess Master 2009. There have been
6282 clubs actively playing Chess since April 2009 to compete for the Chess
Master 2009 title. The aim has been to go green this year and the complete
implementation, monitoring, playing has been done electronically under the
supervision of faculties from NIIT.
In response to an online survey conducted by MCA this year, over 8000
children have mentioned that Chess has helped them perform better in academics,
especially in Science and Mathematics. The game developed their patience and
understanding, motivating children to take up Chess before school hours or
during the breaks.
The South Zone level contest witnessed widespread participation by nearly
1.75 lakh students from over 2500 Government and Private Schools spread across 4
states and Union Territories.
Commenting on the success of NIIT MindChampions Academy, Viswanathan Anand
remarked, “It is heartening to note that young children are taking up chess
enthusiastically and mastering the strategies of the game. I heartily
congratulate both the winners and wish them a bright future ahead.”
“I am confident that the grit and determination that these young children
have displayed will help them excel in academics as well. I am delighted to see
that NIIT MindChampions Academy has touched a huge number of children across the
country and initiated them into the game of Chess. Technology has also played a
key role in reaching out to children in every corner of the country for
introducing them to Chess”.
Mrs. Murthy, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, recognized the commendable
performance of the young MindChampions in the game of Chess and encouraged them
to continue to exhibit the same zeal and brilliance. She said that the budding
talents need to be mentored and guided and that NIIT MindChampions Academy is
offering the aspiring young Chess players an ideal platform to learn and
grow.
According to Tarun Govind Mathur, Head- Operations, School Learning
Solutions, NIIT Ltd., “Chess is a mind game that improves academic performance
and aids in mental development of young children. Over the years the NIIT
MindChampions Academy has been popularizing Chess in Schools across
India.”
The winners of the South Zone Finals of NIIT MindChampions Academy- Chess
Master 2009, Goutham S from Geetanjali Vidyalaya , Bangalore and Jagu
Rajesh from ZPH School, Chebrolu East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh
will represent the South Zone at the National Finals. The winners will
also get an opportunity to play Chess with the Chess Champion, Viswanathan
Anand. The National winner will be felicitated by the World Chess Champion
Viswanathan Anand at a mega event for National Finals in Gandhinagar, Gujarat,
on December 24, 2009.
Launched in 2002 with an objective of initiating
students into the world of Chess, NIIT MindChampions Academy has commenced a
movement that has now touched more than 8.5 lakh students from over 7000 schools
across India. World Chess Champion Vishwanathan Anand has personally travelled
to Agartala, Guwahati, Raipur, Patna, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and
other cities across India, spreading the message and motivating the school
students to start playing chess. NIIT MindChampions Academy conducts an Annual
Chess event, known as Chess Master for these school children across 16 states in
the NIIT network.
About NIIT
NIIT Limited, leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia’s
largest IT trainer, offers learning and knowledge solutions to over 5 million
students across 40 countries.
Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the ‘Top IT Training
Company’ award successively for the past 17 years, since the inception of this
category. Rated among India’s Business Superbrands 2008, NIIT’s Individual
Learning Business offerings include industry-endorsed programs for students
seeking careers in IT - GNIIT, Edgeineers and Global
Net Plus for IT professionals.
NIIT has provided computer-based learning to over 12,000 government and
private schools. The futuristic NIIT eGURU range for schools is a holistic
education package that comprises of Interactive Classrooms (an
embedded Teaching Learning Material, that uses elements of interactivity,
automation and web links library); Math lab (technology tools
that enable school students to learn and explore mathematical concepts);
IT Wizard (equips the students with core computer knowledge and
IT skills); and Quick School (an Education Resource Planning
solution for school management).
For working professionals, NIIT Imperia, Centre for
Advanced Learning, offers Executive Management Education Programs in association
with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad, Indore, Kolkata,
Lucknow, IMT Ghaziabad and IIFT Delhi.
NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (IFBI),
formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers
programs for individuals and corporates in Banking, Financial Services and
Insurance.
NIIT Uniqua, Centre for Process Excellence, addresses the
increasing demand for skilled workers in the business and technology services
industry by providing training programs in relevant areas. This is a part of
NIIT Institute of Process Excellence, a NIIT-Genpact venture.
NIIT’s Corporate Learning Solutions, offers integrated
learning solutions (including strategic consulting, learning design, content
development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to
Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations
and Publishing houses.
NIIT delivers a tailored combination of catalog learning
products, technology and services through Element K offerings. These include:
vLab®: hands-on labs, instructor-led courseware, comprehensive e-reference
libraries, technical journals, and KnowledgeHub™: hosted learning management
platform. This makes NIIT the first and the best choice for comprehensive
learning solutions, worldwide.
For media queries, please contact:
Prateek Chatterjee
Head- Corporate
Communications
NIIT Ltd.
Email:
prateek.chatterjee@niit.comCell:
+91 9910201085