Gujarat, India
German luxury sanitary brand, Duravit AG., best known for its sleek Philippe Starck, Seiger Design, Phoenix Design, Matteo Thun, and Norman Foster bathroom fixtures and furniture, has committed to a CSR initiative that will fund the conversion of over 100 rural schools in India into Smart Class Programs.
Working through its subsidiary Duravit India Pvt. Ltd. and along with one of India’s leading NGOs, YUVA Unstoppable, Duravit AG has not only equipped schools with smart technology, but also revamped the entire schools for underprivileged children.
“Ultimately, Duravit’s initiative will become a gateway to connect the rural school to a global platform, providing a future for the young in India”, states architecture critic Christian Narkiewicz-Laine.
The initiative is part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India” vision.
“Our mission is to convert 100 such schools through our corporate social responsibility program,” states Asutosh Shah, managing director of Duravit India.
“Over the years, technology has revolutionized the world. Technology has also created amazing tools and resources. In this digitalized era, every child should be well versed with the latest technology. With the increasing presence of technology in our lives, a technology integration model in the schools can make learning more fun and impactful.”
Duravit’s goal is to work toward overall educational development by integrating technology in learning models.
The CSR program is intended to benefit students in senior secondary classes in the most profound need.
In 2019, Duravit AG, transformed its second school, the Madhavlal Shah U B Vidhyalay, a rural school in Valli (Kanewal, Gujarat) to a smart school through its Smart Class Program.
The Smart School Transformation included the funding of five classes renovated with a new roof; new toilet blocks constructed for boys and girls, smart classes equipped with K-Yan technology; new drinking-water facilities, 2,000-square-feet of pathway with paver blocks; new computer lab, and a tutor appointed to train teaching staff as well as students.
In 2020, Duravit converted its third school: The Shri. L. D. Patel Vidhyavihar, (MorajKelvaniMandal
Trust) in the village Moraj, Taluka, Tarapur. In addition, the company upgraded one more school named Tarapu Sarvajanik High Schol in Tarapur with basic facilities like drinking water and a clean girls’n restroom.
“Duravit believes in creating a strong and meaningful impact on the society through its corporate social responsibility program. As an initiative, the Smart Class Program will be benefiting the underprivileged children,” continues Shah.
“With the increasing presence of technology in our lives, a technology integration model in schools can make learning enjoyable and impactful.”
“Duravit’s Smart Class Program initiative is expected to play a vital role in transforming and improving the overall development of underprivileged students’ learning and effectiveness. The implemented program aims to ensure that the children get a positive environment, which will help them to complete their secondary school education through a technology-led educational program,” Shah adds.
Duravit’s program uses K-Yan technology. Shah explains that this technology incorporates the features of computer-based learning into a high-resolution, high-luminosity portable projector along with various built-in features, including Internet connectivity and showing multi-media content to students.
“This program is not a replacement of the existing teachers, but will act as an additional aid to them, as well as train them to teach more effectively,” Shah said.
“This is incredible social responsibility at its peak and most meaningful moment,” continues Narkiewicz-Laine.
“The design community applauds Duravit’s commitment to addressing real social, economic, and
environmental issues and making the world a better place.”
“Duravit has truly committed itself to make socially responsible business practices a hallmark of its
brand.”
