Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Azim Premji: Press Release

Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Technology in Education and Development was conferred to the Azim Premji Foundation today by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The award was presented by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Communications and IT, Mr. Kapil Sibal to Mr. Azim Premji at the India Habitat Center in the capital.

This award was instituted by the University in its Silver Jubilee Year. This prize is given to an individual or an institution that has made significant contributions in education particularly educational technology, for development in developing countries across the world. It comprises a cash component of Rs.5 lakh and a citation. Azim Premji Foundation is the first awardee for the laurel.

A book was released by the minister containing the silver jubilee lectures compiled by the Pro VC of IGNOU, Dr. Latha Pillai and Associate Professor Dr. Babu P. Ramesh while, Mr. Azim Premji released a CD containing the interactive multi course study materials of the university.

Mr. Kapil Sibal announced the launch of a tablet computer by next month in his bid to let children go beyond the boundary of classroom and teachers to acquire knowledge through IT. He said that, "Soon, a 35 dollar computer will be made available to every child in school. The tablet shall help enhance the quality of learning of children."

He clearly said that, "We lack quality teachers in our system. One of the big initiatives in the 12th Five Year Plan would thus be to introduce national teacher education mission. It is only then that we would be able to get quality teaching and learning."

He also talked about his initiatives with Mr. Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure & Innovations and Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on connecting every gram panchayat in three years with optical fibre networks. "A bill for public service electronic delivery is also in the pipeline which shall enable the delivery of every bill, including your licence, passport etc online in five years."

Acknowledging the honour, Premji outlined three major experiences giving meaning to his contributions. Focussing on the basics of education through equity he said, "You can't build skyscrapers in air. We need a solid foundation to address the demands."

He emphasized upon the significant uses of IT in education and said that, "Currently, IT in education is used as a separate subject altogether. It can be integrated with the mainstream of education which would then prove far more useful in disseminating education among adults than children. Though children learn quickly, but what they require is good teachers."

"One area of use of IT which is not being exploited as yet is administration. IT has a huge applicability here which can help improve the area of governance," he concluded.

Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU outlined various innovations like the Pan Africa network and the upcoming of an Institute of Sign Language Research and Training Centre for deaf people by the university.