Media Advisory - DATAWIND CEO Visiting Sheridan to Celebrate Winner of Apps-to-Empower and Guest Lecture Students

BRAMPTON, ON, Feb. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Anshul Goyal, a first year student in Sheridan's Computer System Technician- Software Engineering program is set to get the thrill of a lifetime. On February 11, DATAWIND CEO Suneet Singh Tuli will personally congratulate him for winning the company's global Apps-to-Empower contest and present him with the first part of his prize.  For more information on the contest's three winners, please visit:  http://appstoempower.org

Following the award presentation, Mr. Tuli will give a guest lecture to business and technology students entitled "Frugal Innovation to Reach the Next 3 Billion."

Goyal, who graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree from India's Bharati Vidyapeeth University (BVU) in June, 2013 before coming to Sheridan last fall, created an app called "My Rights".  His app is intended to bridge the information gap that he says exists between common people in India and the government with respect to programs and benefits that are available.

"I see lots of app contests but this one really grabbed my attention because it was about women's empowerment.  I believe in humanity and in helping people—it is something my parents always taught me. Women in India sometimes only know what they hear at home or school.  I wanted to create an app that would let them find out for themselves about all the opportunities available.  There's also a culture of middle-men in India who hold knowledge and charge for it.  This app can help overcome that challenge of corruption."

To build the app, Goyal says he contacted the Indian government and gained access to its database of services. The app has filters that allow a user to search for benefits by who they target, the ministry or department that sponsors them, or the state in which they are available.

Goyal will receive a $2500 cash prize for his winning entry, which will be presented to him on a separate occasion.  On February 11, Goyal will receive a number of Ubislate tablets, also part of the prize package.  When asked what he plans to do with the tablets that he's about to receive, Goyal says he plans to send them to friends in India so they can help him further field test his app.  As a result of winning the contest, Goyal's app will be pre-loaded on all new Ubislate tablets that are produced.

What:  DATAWIND Award Presentation & Lecture

Where: Sheridan College-- Davis Campus, 7899 McLaughlin Road, Brampton

When: Tuesday, February 11

Schedule: 
1:00 - 1:10 p.m. Award presentation to Anshul Goyal - Room J301
1:10 - 2:00 p.m. Lecture - Room J301
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. Media interviews - Room J314Q (in the Learning Commons)

About Datawind

DATAWIND is a leading provider of wireless web access products and services. Based on several international patents, DATAWIND's breakthrough technologies solve the bandwidth limitations of cellular networks by accelerating content delivery by factors of 10x to 30x - resulting in a superior mobile web experience at a lower cost. Most recently, DATAWIND's Aakash/UbiSlate tablets have received worldwide attention, as the company executes a vision to empower the next 3 billion people with computing and internet access. 

DATAWIND has offices in London, UK; Montreal and Mississauga, Canada, Dallas, USA, Amritsar and New Delhi, India.

About Sheridan

Sheridan is one of Canada's leading postsecondary institutions, offering over 100 diploma, certificate, and bachelor degree programs in an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. Its 133,000 alumni make a tangible impact in the worlds of business, digital media and communications, applied computing and telecommunications, the arts, engineering, manufacturing, and community services.  Its aim is to become Ontario's first university exclusively dedicated to undergraduate professional education - one that will be based on applied learning. The model is also intended to give Sheridan graduates more pathways to the continued learning that will underscore their personal, career, and industry success.

SOURCE: Sheridan College

For further information:

Christine Szustaczek, Director of Corporate Communications & External Relations, Sheridan College
T: 905-815-4169 or E: [e-mail]

Amanpreet Singh, Marketing & Communications, DATAWIND
T: 647-300-7556 or E: [e-mail]

Media RSVP to:  [e-mail]