IIM-A grads' start-up launches gaming competition

In a bid to develop gaming applications for the education sector, Educational Initiatives (EI), a startup venture of three Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) graduates, has launched an online educational game building competition.

Titled 'Desafio', the event calls for college students to develop online or off line games, applications and other interactive tools specially for the education sector. "The gaming competition will be on for a month. We have been functioning in the education sector but we thought this could be a way to explore ways to develop educational games for schools. Through this competition, we will be able to do the same," said Charisma Hiranandani, manager - HR at Educational Initiatives.

As part of the competition, the games, applications or tools will have to be original creations that will help school students to understand topics, subject concepts or even skills.

"EI feels games, application or other interactive tools can prove to be useful means to help children learn better by engaging them and minimising the learning gaps. One does not need to be a coding geek to build these games or applications. One only needs to do visualise how students learn any particular concept or skill and how can that learning be made better and fun. The games or applications can be developed on concepts of any subject or topic like Maths, Science, English or Social Studies," Hiranandani added.

While the final version of the game and game supporting document will have to be uploaded on the Desafio website by March 5, shortlisted entries will be announced after which the final voting will take place online. Prizes to be won include tablet PCs, iPhones and paid internships for 4-8 weeks at EI and an opportunity to work with experts in the field.

An educational research company with focus on promoting learning with understanding among school children, Educational Initiatives is a start up ventureof three IIM-Ahmedabad graduates. Apart from research, EI also offers educational products to schools with the aim of assessment driven learning and has closely worked with several state governments and central government for curriculum revision.

The startup has so far also worked with organisations like World Bank, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Google, Azim Premji Foundation and Duke University, USA.