IIT Bombay to Procure 1,000 Low Cost Netbook Computers

MUMBAI, August 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

IIT Bombay is planning to conduct a pilot study on low cost netbook computers to test their sufficiency for student programmers and to explore ways of creating an ecosystem for training and supporting student programmers. IIT Bombay is planning to acquire 1000 netbook computers for this.

Computing resources are a necessity in education and their lack of availability can hinder technological innovation. But providing adequate yet low cost computing resource poses many challenges. While tablets may be inexpensive and adequate for accessing educational material, they have limitations when deployed for technology development.

Hence there is a need to find financially sustainable models for providing computing resources for makers or creators of technology. Furthermore it is necessary to come up with suitable methodologies to train them and give them after sales support, in hardware and in the use of software.

Professor Kannan, IIT Bombay, and one of the investigators of Aakash Project, says, "The pilot project is targeted at makers - those who write computer programs. For us to become a developed nation, it is imperative to invest in students who can create technology."  

IIT Bombay has issued a tender to purchase netbook computers. Details of the tender are available on IIT Bombay website - http://www.iitb.ac.in/en/tender/j-3114-15.

The netbook computers either should have Linux preloaded or should be rooted Android devices. Vendors are requested to visit the above website and submit their best quote.

This initiative is funded by the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

About NMEICT

The National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) seeks to meet learning needs of 500+ million Indians through technology. Visit: www.sakshat.ac.in

About IIT Bombay

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the second IIT to be set up in 1958, is recognised worldwide as a leader in the field of engineering education and research. It is reputed for the quality of its faculty and the outstanding calibre of students graduating from its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The institute has a total of 15 academic departments, ten centres, one school and four interdisciplinary programmes. Over the last five decades, more than 46,000 engineers and scientists have graduated from the institute. It is served by more than 600 faculty members who are considered not only amongst the best within the country, but are also highly recognised in the world for achievements in the field of education and research. Today the institute is recognized as one of the centres of academic excellence in the country. Over the years, there has been dynamic progress at IIT Bombay in both academic and research activities, including a parallel improvement in facilities and infrastructure to keep it on par with the best institutions in the world. Visit: www.iitb.ac.in

Media Contact: Prabhakar Deshpande, [email protected], +91-9821089074, Aakash Labs