Education Park Project

1. Education Park Project Primary Steward: Vinod Ramachandran Secondary Steward: Prateek Sharma

2. Project Description • Location: Bhikangaon, Madhya Pradesh, India • Area (urban/rural):Rural • Primary Focus: Children & Youth in Rural Area • Project Type:School/Vocational Training • Amount Requested (US$):$8,700 + 3563 ~ 12.2KUSD (approx, conversion @ Rs. 55/-) • Purpose of Funding Request: Subsidy, stationary and books for poor kids • # of Beneficiaries:89

3. Project Goals

4. Project Background/Impact • Asha Stanford already has a relation with EduPark. • The project has attracted attention from various sections of society and is generating a lot of awareness. • Education Park is doing exceptionally well and parents are very happy with the progress. • Focus is on Energy, Economy and Education to drive holistic development of the region. • The project has got recognition in the media and as well as by research organizations like TERI[http://www.teriin.org/index.php]

5. Organization Description • Name of Organization: The Education Park • Dr. Chetan Solanki – President Edu. Park and Associate Prof at IIT Bombay. • Advisors: • Mr. Madhav Paranjpe (Well known educationalist, Indore) • Dr. B. K . Passi (Well known educationalist, Indore) • Dr. Prakash Vyavahare (Prof. and Dean of Faculty, SGSITS, Indore) • Dr. Rakesh Saxena (Prof, Department of Electrical Engg, SGSITS, Indore) • Dr. Saroj Rangnekar (Prof. and head, Energy Center, MANIT, Bhopal) • Mr. Sanjay Prakash (Solar Passive Architect, Delhi) • Dr. Prasanna Gandhi (Prof. of Mechanical Engg. Dept, IIT Bombay) • Mr. Ramswaroop Agrawal (Businessman and social worker, Khargone) • Mr. Kalyan Agrawal (Businessman, Bhikangaon, Dist. Khargone) • Dr. Anuradha, MBBS (Social worker, Khargone) • Dr. Anil Kottanthayal (Prof. of Electrical Engg. Dept, IIT Bombay) • No religious/political affiliations. • FCRA (prior-permission) already available with Asha Stanford.

6. Existing Infrastructure/Facilities • Land - 14 acres • When acquired, it was barren land, now there are more than 1100 trees/plants. • Solar Passive Architecture. • Generates its own electricity using Solar Panels – no connection to grid. • Subsidy provided to children from economically weak background. • Construction of middle block is in progress. Currently they have completed block two of the middle block • Construction of training center for farmers has been completed

7. Curriculum/Pedagogy • Following CBSE pattern. • Innovative approach to education with focus on practical trainings. [refer to pics/slide deck attached] • Combination of ABL and hands on training along with formal education. • Foundation Program for weak students to bring them into mainstream.

8. Expected Outcomes/What After? • When fully in operation, Education Park will be educating about 1000 students per year and also training nearly 1000 people per year. • The Education Park will also conduct training programs to create leaders who can take the challenge of setting up of new Education Parks. In long terms, the Education Park plans to open chain of such ‘Education Parks’ in rural areas.

9. Budget for Requested Funding • Subsidized students: 52*(6121-1200) = 255892 • RTE students: 37*(6121-2607) = 130018 • Miscellaneous: 89*1000= 89000 • Total cost For Subsidized Students: 4,74,910 Rs.

10. Requirement for Phase 2 of Middle Block • Overall several other things are going at Education Park. We have just finished part-2 of the Middle block. We have made library, laboratory room, compute room, soil testing laboratory room, etc. We need to put materials like books, furniture, lab equipments, etc. in this facility. We need support in this regard as well. It would be great to get help and all students will be benefited. List of our current requirement is given below (total cost is estimated to about 6,31,000 Rs):

11. Additional Budget Request – For Middle Block

12. Other Funding Sources • In 2010, Dr. Chetan Solanki won an award at IIT Bombay for INR 5 lac which he dedicated to the cause of Education Park. • In 2010, ROSE has also provided funding for USD 10K. • Yash Birla group is funding some part of Middle block construction. • Most of the donation has been raised locally utilizing personal network. • They have taken zero percent loan from well wishers to meet their construction needs for primary block.

13. Site Visit Report • Site visit done by Subrato Chatterjee (Ruchi Choudhary, a student from IIT Kanpur) on 14th Jan, 2012

14. SWOT Analysis Strengths/Opportunities • Holistic approach. Focus on Energy, Economy & Education. • Activity Based Learning for the Children • Highly Motivated Project Partner • Zero Energy Campus • Practical trainings for youth • Helping local communities by spreading awareness about education and energy conservation.

15. Steward Recommendation • I met Dr. Chetan in February, 2012. Dr. Chetan is very motivated and committed Professor and is currently on a Sabbatical this year so that he can keep his focus on EDUPARK. • His Phd was in the area of solar energy and he is using his research experience to ensure that EDUPARK’s operations are as eco-friendly as possible. • The School has also implemented RTE which is commendable • I strongly recommend that this project be funded by Asha Stanford