As CEO Tim Cook was meeting with Prime Minister Modi and partying with Bollywood stars, Apple’s VP of environment, policy and social initiatives Lisa Jackson was also in India. As reported by Yahoo India, the Apple executive was visiting “solar mamas” and a rural school where students were being taught via iPad lessons.
In India, Jackson visited Tilonia in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, which is the home of The Barefoot College. The Barefoot College uses iPads and Macs to teach students, despite being relatively low-budget and rural. Apple India donated 20 iPads to the school earlier this year for women enrolled in the solar training program, reports The Better India. Additionally, Apple donated 10 Macs for teaching digital literacy. The school is generally attended by women who are looking to become literate and further their interest in technology, specifically relating to solar energy.
Ultimately, those who attend The Barefoot College are trained in assembling solar lamps, which is why the women are often referred to as “solar mamas.” They are trained in becoming solar engineers and are responsible for things like managing solar panels and batteries, as well as building solar lanterns and setting up shops around the area to perform repairs on electronics and solar products.
The Barefoot College also connects rural communities to solar, water, education, professions and advocacy to help communities and individuals take control of their lives and the well being of their communities.
Jackson tweeted of her experience, calling the it powerful and noting that it was “amazing” to get to visit the solar mamas and see the iPads in action in education.
While Jackson was visiting The Barefoot College, Tim Cook and other Apple executives were meeting with Prime Minister Modi, as well as executives from major carriers to forge “strategic partnerships” for rolling out LTE to the country. Earlier this week, Apple announced an iOS App Design and Development Accelerator in Bengaluru, while it today revealed it would open a new development office in Hyderabad, creating up to 4,000 new jobs.
Powerful: Visiting amazing solar mamas in Rajastan and visiting a school using iPads to teach.. @BarefootCollege pic.twitter.com/3yJjIP8nsx
— Lisa P. Jackson (@lisapjackson) May 19, 2016
The Apple executive worldwide trip continues next with Amsterdam, where Cook will open the first Startup Fest Europe with a keynote.
