CGI inaugurated a digital laboratory today for the students of Welfare Association for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled and Society (WARDS), a non-government organization supporting students with intellectual disabilities from underprivileged backgrounds, to promote inclusion and digital literacy.
Through the digital lab, the students will be trained in basic computer operations, including data entry and desktop publishing, to improve their skills as they explore future job opportunities. The digital lab is powered by solar panels to promote a sustainable environment and to ensure that the lab runs without disruption from power interruptions. In addition, CGI’s partnership includes providing students with transportation to school to promote attendance and developing a digital solution to automate the school’s administrative processes and help generate reports for their activities.
“As part of CGI’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, one of the ways we want to improve the social and economic well-being of the communities in which we live and work is by providing resources for education,” said George Mattackal, President of CGI’s Asia Pacific Global Delivery Centres of Excellence. “We feel fortunate to play a role in empowering those with intellectual disabilities to be self-sufficient.”
The project, proposed by Nithin Shanbhag who works in CGI’s offices in Bangalore, is a product of CGI’s Dream Connectors programme, an annual company-wide initiative where CGI professionals submit ideas that aim to make a positive impact in communities. As part of the programme, this winning project received support from CGI for the purchase and installation of the digital lab equipment and from CGI professionals for the digitisation of the school’s processes and infrastructure. These solutions support CGI’s Tech for Good initiative which aims to drive positive social impact in the community through technology.
“We are delighted to have the digital lab set-up with the support of CGI. With CGI’s commitment to foster an inclusive environment and promote digital literacy, it will help us in our endeavour to bridge the gap between these students and others in the same age group. The lab and the transportation provided by CGI has aided us to get more new admissions and has also increased the average attendance at the school. We are grateful to CGI for this funding.” said Pradeepa Anchala, Honorary Treasurer, WARDS.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With approximately 77,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. With Fiscal 2018 reported revenue of C$11.5 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.
About WARDS
WARDS is a NGO providing support to individuals suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities and mental retardation. The organization offers day care, therapy, vocational training, early intervention, welfare, outreach and other programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more at wardsbengaluru.org.
For more information:
Lindsay Ang
Director, Communications
lindsay.ang@cgi.com
+63 2 858 4000
