BenQ creating healthier learning environments: Rajeev Singh

Standing for “Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life”, the BenQ brand continues to involve in the areas of life that matter most to people, offering a range of LCD monitors, projectors, webcams and LEDs, etc. 

Rajeev Singh, MD, BenQ India and South Asia, tells us more. Excerpts: 

DQ: How do you see the interactive flat panel (IFP) market evolving in the coming years, and what role does BenQ aim to play in shaping this evolution? What are some of the key trends and innovations you expect to see in the education technology space? 

Rajeev Singh: The interactive flat panel (IFP) market is anticipated to experience substantial growth in the coming years, driven by advancements in technology and an increasing demand for interactive learning solutions. 

BenQ, as a leading player in this space, aims to shape this evolution through innovative products and strategic collaborations, particularly with Google's Enterprise Device Licensing Agreement (EDLA). 

The market is projected to see a CAGR of approximately 25-30% over the next three years, with BenQ expecting to double its sales of interactive panels within a year due to heightened demand, especially in educational settings.

As the IFP market evolves, several key trends and innovations are expected to shape the education technology landscape. One prominent trend is the integration of cloud-based technologies that facilitate seamless access to educational resources, and enhance collaboration among students and educators. 

The recent launch of BenQ’s interactive flat panels, which run on the latest Android operating system and are Google certified, exemplifies this shift. These panels support Google’s education suite, allowing for direct access to tools like Google Classroom, Docs, and Sheets, which are essential for modern teaching methodologies. 

Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on health and safety features in educational technology, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. BenQ’s ClassroomCare technology, which includes TÜV and SIAA-certified germ-resistant screens and specialized air quality sensors, addresses these concerns by creating healthier learning environments that help prevent the transmission of germs and improve air quality.

Our strategy also includes a commitment to "Make in India" manufacturing, which not only supports local economies, but also ensures that products are tailored to the specific requirements of Indian classrooms. 

BenQ is focusing on expanding its presence in the IFP market by introducing innovative products that cater to the evolving needs of educators and students, such as the BenQ Board RP04 series, which features Eyesafe certified blue light protection, and ClassroomCare technology designed to create healthier learning environments.

DQ: What is BenQ's vision for the future of education in India? How do you plan to continue innovating and expanding your presence in the interactive flat panel (IFP) market, while maintaining your position as the No. 1 DLP projector brand?

Rajeev Singh: BenQ's vision for the future of education in India is centered around harnessing advanced technology to enhance learning experiences and bridge educational disparities, particularly in underserved regions. We particularly aim to transform traditional classrooms into dynamic learning environments through the integration of interactive flat panels (IFPs) and other innovative educational technologies. 

To continue innovating and expanding our footprint in the IFP market, BenQ is focusing on several strategic initiatives. As mentioned, we have launched interactive flat panels equipped with the latest Android operating system and Google certification, which enhances security and accessibility for educational institutions. 

These panels are designed to replace traditional blackboards, offering features such as built-in software for annotation, interactive teaching, and content creation. This shift towards interactive displays has been accelerated by the pandemic, which made technology integration in classrooms more mainstream. 

We are also investing in partnerships with educational foundations to install interactive displays in rural schools. This initiative aims to uplift educational standards by providing access to digital content and resources that were previously unavailable to these communities.

Moreover, BenQ is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural schools, such as inconsistent power supply and limited access to technology. As part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives, we have also provided uninterrupted power supply (UPS) devices and a central device management system to ensure the smooth operation of our interactive displays in rural areas. 

This comprehensive support not only enhances the educational experience for students but also empowers teachers by equipping them with cutting-edge tools that foster active participation and engagement in the learning process.

In summary, BenQ's vision for the future of education in India is rooted in technological innovation and social responsibility. By focusing on interactive solutions, local manufacturing, and strategic partnerships, we aim to transform educational experiences across the country. 

As we continue to expand our presence in the IFP market while maintaining our leadership in the DLP projector segment, we remain dedicated to improving educational outcomes and bridging the digital divide for students and educators alike.

DQ: Can you tell us more about BenQ's achievement of becoming the first company in India to receive EDLA (Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement) certification for its smart boards? What does this certification mean for BenQ and its customers in the education sector?

Rajeev Singh: BenQ has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company in India to receive the Google Enterprise Devices Licensing Agreement (EDLA) certification for our smart boards, specifically the BenQ Board Pro RP04 and the BenQ Board Master RM04 and now, the recently launched BenQ Board RE04 series. 

This certification marks a pivotal advancement in the integration of Google Mobile Services (GMS) into educational technology, allowing these smart boards to provide a seamless experience for users in both educational and corporate settings. 

With the EDLA certification, these smart boards can now directly access a suite of Google applications, including Google Drive, Google Classroom, and Google Meet, enhancing the functionality and interactivity of classroom environments.

This integration allows educators and students to download and utilize a wide range of educational applications directly from the smart board, streamlining the teaching and learning processes. The integration of GMS not only enhances user experience but also ensures a secure environment for data management, as the boards offer encrypted network communications and proxy-level security options. This is particularly important in educational settings, where data privacy and security are paramount.

For BenQ, this certification reinforces our commitment to innovation and leadership in the educational technology sector. It positions the company as a frontrunner in providing advanced solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern classrooms. 

The incorporation of powerful tools such as EZWrite 6, a feature-rich whiteboarding software, and InstaShare 2, a wireless screen-sharing solution, further enhances the usability of these smart boards. EZWrite 6 enables educators to create engaging lessons and utilize various specialized tools, while InstaShare 2 allows multiple users to share and control their screens simultaneously, fostering collaboration and interactive learning.

For customers in the education sector, the EDLA certification means access to a more integrated and efficient teaching tool that enhances collaboration and engagement among students. The new BenQ boards are designed with inclusivity in mind, featuring functionalities such as Text-to-Speech for visually impaired students, multilingual translation, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities. These features ensure that the smart boards cater to a diverse range of learning needs, promoting a more inclusive educational environment.

Additionally, the BenQ smart boards are equipped with health-focused features, such as Eyesafe Certified screens that reduce harmful blue light exposure and air quality sensors that monitor classroom environments. These attributes contribute to creating healthier learning spaces, which is increasingly important in today’s educational landscape.

DQ: BenQ is known for its extensive CSR efforts in the education sector. Can you share more about your recent collaborations to bring EDLA-certified smart boards to schools across rural and marginalized communities in India?

Rajeev Singh: BenQ India is deeply committed to our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, particularly in the education sector, where we aim to bridge the digital divide and enhance learning opportunities for students in rural and marginalized communities. 

Recently, BenQ announced a significant partnership with Sonam Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), through which we will provide multiple newly-launched Google EDLA Certified BenQ Board RE04 Series interactive flat panels (IFPs) and projectors to HIAL's new campus. This collaboration is designed to equip students in the Himalayan region with cutting-edge educational tools, enabling them to connect with global resources and ideas. 

In addition to the partnership with HIAL, we have continued our collaboration with the Ranjitsinh Disale Foundation, which focuses on improving educational standards in rural areas. This ongoing partnership aims to provide interactive flat panels to five new schools in Maharashtra and 10-15 schools in Chatra District, Bihar. Through this initiative, BenQ has already installed IFPs in 20 Zila Parishad schools in Solapur, Maharashtra. 

These installations are not merely about providing technology; they represent a transformative step toward creating dynamic and immersive learning environments. The interactive displays allow students and teachers to access digital content, collaborate on projects, and engage in innovative learning methods that were previously unavailable to them.

The interactive flat panels installed in these schools serve as gateways to a world of information, enabling students to engage with international educators and digital resources. This exposure is crucial for leveling the educational playing field, allowing students in rural areas to access the same quality of education as their peers in more affluent regions.