Access to quality education remains uneven across India, with rural schools often lacking the infrastructure to support modern learning. BenQ, a global leader in display solutions, is leveraging its expertise to address this gap, turning technology into a tool for inclusion. Under the leadership of Mr. Rajeev Singh, Managing Director of BenQ India & South Asia, the company is enabling digital classrooms in government and community schools, providing not just interactive flat panels (IFPs) but also teacher training, power backup, and long-term support to ensure technology translates into meaningful learning.
BenQ's CSR initiatives are designed for lasting impact. Strategic partnerships with organizations such as the Ranjitsinh Disale Foundation in Maharashtra and Sonam Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) have extended the reach of digital education to underserved and geographically remote regions. By integrating infrastructure support, multilingual interfaces, and ongoing teacher engagement, BenQ demonstrates how corporate expertise can help bridge systemic gaps and improve learning outcomes.
Aligned with NEP 2020 and the Make in India initiative, BenQ’s local manufacturing of energy-efficient smartboards adds both scale and sustainability to its interventions. In this interview, Mr. Rajeev Singh shares insights into the company’s CSR approach, the challenges of implementing smart classrooms in rural India, and his vision for building inclusive, future-ready learning environments across the country.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Q. BenQ is globally recognized for its display solutions, but in India, you've emerged as a strong advocate for digital education through CSR. What inspired this focus, and how did your journey in this space begin?
A. Education has always been in BenQ's DNA in India. When classrooms began transitioning from traditional blackboards to digital displays, BenQ India was the go-to brand for educational institutions, a trust proven by our installations in over 3.5 lakh classrooms across the country.
But being a market leader comes with responsibility. As we expanded, I personally visited schools across India and witnessed a stark digital divide. While metro schools embraced smart classrooms, rural institutions struggled with basic infrastructure. This gap became our call to action.
Our CSR journey wasn't about charity - it was about leveraging our core competence to democratize education. We realized we were uniquely positioned to bridge this divide, not just through products but through comprehensive solutions.
Education was already our strength; CSR gave it purpose. Today, when I see students in rural Maharashtra or Ladakh accessing the same quality of digital education as their urban counterparts, I know we're on the right path.
Q. From rural Maharashtra to Ladakh, BenQ's presence in schools is expanding steadily. How do you identify the schools or communities to support, and what factors guide your strategic CSR investments in education?
A. Our approach is deeply rooted in identifying genuine need and potential for impact. We specifically look for exceptional educators working in marginalized areas. Teachers who are already creating change despite lacking infrastructure and resources. These champions become our partners in transformation.
The selection criteria are straightforward: we prioritise regions where the digital divide is most acute, where dedicated educators are present, and where our intervention can create sustainable change. Our team conducts extensive ground assessments, understanding not just infrastructure gaps but also the community's readiness for digital adoption.
For instance, our partnership in Solapur came through identifying schools where teachers were innovating with minimal resources. In Ladakh, it was about reaching communities where geography itself was a barrier to quality education. Each investment is guided by one principle: creating equal opportunities for every student, regardless of their location or socio-economic background.
Q. Your recent collaboration with education reformer Sonam Wangchuk and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), is inspiring. Could you share how this partnership came about and what unique challenges or opportunities it presented?
A. Our relationship with Sonam Wangchuk spans over 5-6 years, beginning when he was simply a satisfied customer using our projectors in his educational initiatives. When he established HIAL, we saw an opportunity to transform a commercial relationship into a purposeful partnership.
The execution, however, tested our commitment. This project took two years from first dialogue to completion - not due to bureaucracy, but geography. For half the year, roads to Ladakh are completely shut.
The logistical challenges were immense; many brands simply don't attempt installations in such remote locations.
But these challenges reinforced why this partnership mattered. We weren't just delivering products; we were reaching students who otherwise had no access to digital education. The installation itself became a mission - our teams worked in extreme conditions, solving problems that urban deployments never face. Today, HIAL stands as a testament that when purpose meets persistence, no geography is too remote for quality education.
Q. BenQ's model goes beyond donating smartboards—offering training, multilingual interfaces, power backup, and central device management. Why is this end-to-end approach essential to making a lasting impact?
A. Technology without enablement is merely expensive furniture. I've seen too many well-intentioned CSR programs fail because they ended at product delivery. Our end-to-end approach emerged from understanding ground realities.
Take teacher training - we don't just conduct one session and leave. Our dedicated training team provides initial on-site training, followed by regular online and offline refreshers. We've created WhatsApp groups where teachers can get real-time support. When we update our boards' features, every teacher is informed and trained.
Power backup isn't an add-on; it's essential. In rural areas, electricity is unpredictable. We provide UPS systems to ensure that power fluctuations don't damage equipment or disrupt classes. We've even deployed dedicated resources in remote areas - BenQ-paid personnel who regularly visit schools, gather feedback, and solve problems locally.
This comprehensive approach transforms our CSR from a one-time donation into a sustainable ecosystem. Real impact comes from staying invested in the communities we serve.
Q. Your IFPs are now manufactured in India as part of the 'Make in India' initiative. How has this shift influenced BenQ's ability to serve educational institutions better—particularly in rural and under-resourced regions?
A. The Make in India initiative transformed our ability to serve educational institutions, especially after NEP 2020 made smart classrooms mandatory. Local manufacturing became crucial for qualifying for government projects - and the government is now one of our biggest partners in education.
This shift brought multiple advantages. First, it significantly reduced costs, allowing us to reach more schools within the same budget. Second, we could customize products for Indian conditions - our panels now handle voltage fluctuations, dust, and extreme temperatures better. Third, faster deployment and service becomes possible when you're not waiting for international shipments.
Most importantly, it aligned with the larger vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. We're not just bringing technology to Indian schools; we're building it here, creating jobs, developing local expertise, and contributing to the ecosystem. When a school in rural UP needs service, we can respond quickly because our entire value chain is local.
Q. The BenQ RE04 Series leads the way in energy-efficient educational technology. How are you combining sustainability with performance, especially for schools where power supply is unpredictable?
A. The RE04 Series was designed specifically for Indian conditions. We achieved industry-leading energy efficiency, the lowest power consumption in its class, without compromising on performance. This isn't just about being green; it's about being practical.
In schools where electricity costs consume significant budgets, our panels reduce operational expenses, freeing resources for other educational needs. The lower power consumption also means less heat generation, extending product life in challenging environments without air conditioning.
But efficiency alone doesn't solve erratic power supply. That's why we bundle power protection and backup solutions. We also achieved Google EDLA certification, ensuring schools access the full suite of Google educational tools seamlessly. Two models of the RE04 are manufactured in India, combining global technology standards with local production advantages.
This holistic approach- efficiency, protection, and connectivity, ensures that whether it's a government school in Bihar or a private institution in Ladakh, technology enhances learning without becoming a burden.
Q. Digital tools are only as effective as the people using them. How does BenQ support teachers and students in learning to use interactive flat panels effectively, especially in rural and government schools?
A. Our philosophy is clear: "AI that supports, not replaces." While the industry rushes toward AI-driven content creation and automated teaching, we believe teachers must remain central to the classroom experience.
Our support system is multi-layered. We begin with comprehensive teacher training in local languages, understanding that English-only training excludes many dedicated educators. Our trainers work one-on-one with teachers, especially in the 20 schools we support in Solapur.
We've established direct communication channels - teachers can reach our support team instantly through WhatsApp groups. When features are updated or new capabilities added, we proactively train teachers rather than expecting them to figure it out.
Most importantly, we listen. Our deployed field resources gather feedback about actual classroom usage, challenges faced, and support needed. This feedback loop ensures our training evolves with real needs, not theoretical assumptions. Technology should empower teachers to "teach their way," not force them into predetermined patterns.
Q. In your work with organizations like the Ranjitsinh Disale Foundation, how do you co-design interventions that go beyond technology deployment to create inclusive, engaging learning environments?
A. Working with Ranjitsinh Disale - India's only Global Teacher Award winner - taught us that technology must adapt to pedagogy, not vice versa. Our collaboration goes far beyond installing panels in 20 Zila Parishad schools in Solapur.
We co-create the entire learning ecosystem. This includes developing localized content, training teachers in innovative pedagogical approaches, and creating peer learning networks among educators. We've deployed two dedicated resources who work closely with these schools, understanding daily challenges and opportunities.
The feedback mechanism we've established is crucial - it's not just technical support but pedagogical partnership. When a teacher discovers a new way to use our boards for teaching complex concepts, that innovation is shared across all schools. When students struggle with certain features, we adapt our training.
This co-design approach ensures technology serves the larger goal: creating engaging, inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive, regardless of their background or learning style.
Q. What have been the biggest barriers while implementing smart education solutions in remote areas—be it geography, training gaps, or infrastructure—and how has BenQ addressed them creatively?
A. The barriers are real and multifaceted. For instance, in Ladakh, roads are closed for six months, so imagine planning installations around that! In rural Maharashtra, schools often lack consistent electricity. Language barriers, teacher apprehension about technology, and maintenance challenges all compound the problem.
Our solutions emerged from accepting these as realities, not exceptions. For power issues, we don't just provide panels; we include voltage stabilizers and UPS systems. For geographical isolation, we've trained local resources who can provide immediate support without waiting for teams from metros.
We've made our interfaces multilingual and our training culturally sensitive. When teachers expressed concerns about technology replacing them, we redesigned our communication to emphasize how technology amplifies their capabilities. We even adjusted our installation schedules around agricultural seasons when rural schools have better attendance.
The key was shifting from a product mindset to a solution mindset. Every barrier became a design input, every challenge shaped our approach. Today, our rural deployments often work better than urban ones because they're designed for resilience.
Q. As technology reshapes education, what's your vision for India's classrooms of the future? And how can companies like BenQ work with governments and civil society to make learning more inclusive, scalable, and future-ready?
A. My vision is of classrooms where technology is invisible yet impactful, where a student in Ladakh can collaborate with peers in Mumbai, where teachers are empowered with AI assistants but never replaced by them, where learning is personalized yet inclusive.
The future isn't about flashy technology; it's about meaningful integration. We're already seeing this in our deployments where interactive panels aren't just display devices but windows to global knowledge, collaboration tools, and creativity enablers.
Companies must move beyond vendor relationships to become education partners. This means co-creating with government and civil society, not just supplying to them. It means investing in teacher development, not just student devices. It means measuring success in learning outcomes, not installation numbers.
At BenQ India, we're committed to this partnership approach. Whether it's supporting HIAL in creating alternative education models or working with government schools to implement NEP 2020, we see ourselves as enablers of India's education transformation. The technology will keep evolving, but our commitment remains constant: ensuring every Indian student has access to world-class education, powered by technology but driven by human potential.
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