Rural upliftment: Virtusa partners with Sarvodaya to uplift Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=22269

Promoting effective learning practices and enabling students to develop state-of-the-art skills

Virtusa Corporation a globally-renowned IT solutions provider and the leading IT services company operating in Sri Lanka has joined hands with Sarvodaya Fusion to boost the ICT knowledge within identified rural areas through a series of seminars and workshops enhancing IT literacy as a part of their CSR initiative “Campus Reach”.

Virtusa has encouraged a team of voluntary trainers to contribute to the series of workshops and seminars targeting students in selected rural communities. The program comprises a range of subjects ranging from career guidance and training to practical and theoretical aspects of using a computer. An introduction to computers, information on hardware, plus sessions providing students the necessary understanding of Microsoft Office products, such as Word, Excel and Adobe Photoshop are also included.

Speaking about the initiative, Project Manager, Fusion, Isura Silva said: “Our vision is to define and develop a model ICT on the development platform as a community-oriented, nature-friendly, sustainable and holistic development engagement. With Virtusa joining us we have accessed an arsenal to educate, share and train students to face the future, providing opportunity for the rural sector to be equipped with the latest knowledge.

The inaugural event is scheduled to be held at Ratnapura, where a career guidance workshop will be organized. Furthermore, Fusion and Virtusa have recognized the potential areas within which they can build up a number of CSR projects. Computer re-cycling is a project in which Virtusa will channel computers in their working cycles, which are assured to be in good working condition, to the rural communities. Fusion will distribute these to the Village Information Centers (VICs) and systematically facilitate their appropriate use to community development activities.

Madu Ratnayake, General Manager, Virtusa Corporation described, “Virtusa is committed in improving students’ employability and productivity in the global knowledge-based economy. With many Virtusans participating as volunteer lecturers, student mentors, curriculum developers and a host of other academic support programs, we aim to create global opportunities for talented youth and support the development of the IT industry in the country,”

Virtusa’s project with Sarvodaya Fusion is a step to share the company expertise in ICT amongst the rural communities in Sri Lanka and enable the future with a sound knowledge in IT. “We identified that Fusion has mastered specific techniques to help underprivileged communities to effectively use technology and educate them in IT over the past decade. These features prompt us to connect with Fusion in creating a country strong and confident in the IT arena” ended Ratnayake.

Under the Fusion project, there are 100 Village Information Centers (VICs) all over the country managed by village youth community leaders, who in turn are trained in technical and management aspects by Fusion. Programs such as ‘e-Empowerment of poor communities’ are delivered through telecentres, VICs and other cross-cutting community-development activities targeting children, youth, women and elders.