Lokesh Launches AP-Maker Lab-on-Wheels to Educate Schoolers in Stem

Vijayawada: Education, IT and electronics minister Nara Lokesh on Friday inspected the AP-Maker Lab-on-Wheels (AP-Ma LoW) vehicle, a collaborative effort with Infosys, which takes knowledge about latest technology like artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and internet of things (IoT) to students studying in their respective schools.

Checking out the vehicle at his residence in Undavalli, the minister said the vehicle contains all the latest technologies to bring awareness among students about the radical scientific reforms going on globally. He said to start with, the vehicle will visit all the schools in Mangalagiri before it proceeds to all the educational institutions across the state.

“Infosys becoming a partner in taking transformative skill opportunities closer to students is really commendable,” Lokesh remarked.

He said the lab-on-wheels will provide free digital and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning to students even in the remotest areas of AP in accordance with the objectives of Digital India and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Vision – 2030.

The minister said the vehicle is equipped with a 90-minute interactive learning session. As per the interests of students, it will provide to them opportunities free of cost to learn various courses through the Infosys Springboard platform. Latest amenities like laptops, tabs and all necessary kits will be available at the workstations within the vehicle. At the end of it, students will be issued certificates.

Representatives of Infosys disclosed that Infosys has invested Rs 5 crore for readying the mobile lab. The company will bear an annual recurring expenditure of Rs 40 lakh, besides supplying course content to students along with trainer support. On average, Infosys will be spending Rs 1,500 per student. The vehicle has set a target of reaching 4,800 students every three months.

AP Skill Development Corporation managing director G. Ganesh Kumar, Narasaraopet MP Lavu Krishnadevarayalu and staff members of Infosys were among those present.