Partnership with Smile Foundation aims to equip over 2,500 underprivileged students annually with critical technology skills through state-of-the-art labs and mobile education units.
28 Feb 2025 | 839 Views | By Shruti Shiraguppi
BMW India Foundation has partnered with Smile Foundation to implement an innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning initiative across Delhi NCR, targeting over 2,500 students annually from underprivileged communities. The program, launched in February 2025, will serve students in grades 6-8 across 25 schools in Delhi, Noida, Greater ...
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BMW India Foundation has partnered with Smile Foundation to implement an innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning initiative across Delhi NCR, targeting over 2,500 students annually from underprivileged communities. The program, launched in February 2025, will serve students in grades 6-8 across 25 schools in Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram, comprising 5 government-aided institutions and 20 community schools in low-income areas.
The initiative features a dual approach to STEM education delivery: establishing permanent state-of-the-art laboratories in government-aided schools and deploying 'STEM on Wheels' mobile labs to reach students in smaller community schools. Both laboratory formats will be equipped with modern concept demonstration apparatus, testing devices, digital tools, robotic models, and comprehensive learning kits.
"BMW India Foundation is committed to empowering the next generation through education and innovation. The new STEM learning initiative launched for Delhi NCR marks a step towards bridging the skills gap in our communities," said Mr. Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India. "By providing state-of-the-art laboratories and mobile STEM education, creativity and problem-solving skills will be inculcated in young minds. This initiative prepares students for a technology-driven future and promotes inclusivity in STEM fields, particularly for underprivileged children. Together, we are nurturing a generation of thinkers and innovators who will drive India's economic growth and technological advancement."
The initiative offers a mobile lab powered by a 1,500-watt solar panel on its roof, enabling operations in underserved areas without reliable electricity access. Additionally, the project will organize workshops, an annual science fair, and innovation challenges to foster greater student engagement and motivation.
This initiative aligns with India's National Education Policy, which prioritizes STEM education as a cornerstone for developing critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving skills essential for navigating a technology-driven future. The program addresses a critical need in India's educational landscape, as STEM-related positions drive economic growth yet face significant talent shortages due to skills gaps.
The skills deficit is particularly pronounced in low and middle-income communities and disproportionately affects girls and women, who currently represent only 30 percent of graduates in engineering and technology fields across India. By targeting underserved communities, the BMW India Foundation aims to broaden participation in STEM disciplines among historically underrepresented populations.
The partnership with Smile Foundation complements BMW Group's existing collaboration with UNICEF under the global "BRIDGE. Educating young people for tomorrow, today" initiative. Introduced in India in 2024, the UNICEF partnership aims to provide quality STEM education to 100,000 children across four states, including Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.