SVM Monthly Newsletter- August 2022

In This Issue

Tech Education with partner NavGurukul | Future of STEM in India | Rural Healthcare Clinics- A Boon for Villagers and Travelers | Agriculture Industry Expert Weighs In

Dear Friends,

One of the core values we cherish and uphold at Smart Village Movement is Open Innovation and Collaboration. Our role as researchers, problem solvers, and integrators of talent and technology enables us to bring in world-class partners, mentors, and organizations to do what they do best in addressing specific rural challenges. As a nonprofit facilitator in Alliance with UC Berekely Haas, our role is to ensure the remedy is effective, sustainable, and relevant to the rural context with acceptance and input from the village communities themselves.

This month's newsletter showcases initiatives highlighting the relevance of Open-Innovation in today's world. To understand our process of Open Innovation & Co-Innovation, please click here. Contribute to our open and dynamic PLATFORM (if you haven't already) to join our community of problem solvers and changemakers. We are constantly evolving and innovating; the next big idea could come from YOU!

Some big developments are taking place in the Indian Education sector, and the importance of more hands-on STEM education with a project-based learning approach is growing. SVM covers this topic very comprehensively in a 2-Part Blog. READ Part 1 - The Future of Smart Learning – Embracing STEM in the Indian Classroom

SVM aims to bring world-class digital education to the remotest rural areas of India, so every child has the opportunity to learn relevant skills. In a joint initiative between Smart Village Movement and NavGurukul Foundation, online classes have begun for the first few batches of the Meraki Python Course program for young learners to build their primary skills in this popular programming language. SVM Team continues to mobilize school principals, teachers, and students in Meghalaya for the Meraki Program to target a total of 1500 students. Block Coordinators and interns hold mobilization and orientation sessions for students and encourage them to upskill themselves with the free training provided by NavGurukul. Participants have shown great interest and involvement and the course continues to evolve to be more interactive and practical.

A robust interdisciplinary STEM education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math builds critical thinkers, problem-solvers, team players, and next-generation innovators. With India poised to be a leading global manufacturing hub, and a worldwide trend toward automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital technology, STEM jobs are growing faster than the number of qualified STEM graduates.

Our need for future generations educated in sciences and well-versed in digital technology has significantly boosted our interest in STEM in recent years. Smart Village Movement works closely with governments, NGOs, and corporate partners like Salesforce, IBM, Curiosity Gym, and NavGurukul to bring hands-on STEM Education to rural children. This will foster equality in education opportunities and help develop the next generation of problem solvers and innovators. But first, what are some of the challenges we must overcome to be effective? Read our BLOG of the month, The Future of Smart Learning – Embracing STEM in the Indian Classroom

Gramin Health care Clinic has been doing wonders to facilitate healthcare for more than 65 villages around Sohrarim, Meghalaya. Smart Village Movement's GRAMIN Healthcare initiative to bring medical facilities closer to home for villagers has now become an essential part of villagers’ life in Sohrarim. Situated en route to the world-famous tourist destination Cherrapunjee, the Gramin Health Care Clinic has been a boon not just for the villagers of Sohrarim and surrounding areas but also for those who travel through the Shillong-Cherrapunjee highway. One recent incident was a road accident near the premises of Gramin Healthcare Center in Sohrarim. It was exceptionally well-handled by the Gramin Staff. Read more

Smart Village Movement’s main role is facilitating the Open Innovation Ecosystem, which involves constant collaboration and co-innovating solutions with academia, corporates, governments, and industry experts. It was our team's pleasure and honor to have met Mr. Ranjit Ramachandran, former CEO at Plant Lipids, Strategic Advisor, Mentor, and Social Entrepreneur. Mr. Ramachandran met SVM Team and government officials to learn about Smart Village Initiatives. He also visited some resource centers in the project area to understand the framework and layout of different verticals in Meghalaya. SVM Agriculture Vertical benefits greatly from the strategic advice and guidance received from this esteemed industry thought leader and will continue incorporating this knowledge into bringing innovation to farming and market linkages to sell village products to a wider market.

To learn more about all our projects, please visit our Website and join our SVM Platform

SVM is a not-for-profit society with 80(G) certification and is also registered as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The tax-deductible contributions go directly to fund rural development and empowerment of village livelihoods in pilot areas.

What is the SVM Platform?

The Smart Village Movement platform provides a digital platform for Governments, Educational Institutions, Business Organizations, and Village Entrepreneurs to come together in a collaborative effort to find innovative solutions in rural communities and build 'Smart Villages'.

Please sign up and access our platform engage with our movement and help us with creative & innovative solutions. Together we are all 'smarter'.

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