India’s MBD Group Develops 3D Printing K-12 Education Program

We’ve reported that 3D printing and education are developing a symbiotic relationship as the technology becomes more attractive to educators who acknowledge its integral use of social, scientific, design, computer, mathematical, technical, and crafting skills. As more educators become seasoned in the 3D printing technology, and more tech-minded people understand what works in young and older students’ classrooms, everyone seeks reliable and effective curricula that can help introduce this multi-faceted technology to students. This is as true in the United States and Western Europe as it is in developing nations that want to incorporate 3D printing into their schools. The idea is that students will be ahead of the technological curve as the 3D printing industry grows.

India has a growing tech sector that welcomes 3D printing as one among many significant and changing aspects of its developing economy. None other than MBD Group, India’s six decades long top publishing house that also serves hospitality, real estate, mall manufacturing and management, and paper sectors, has now introduced a 3D printing K-12 education program. MBD’s “3D Learning Solutions for K-12 Sector” shows just how serious India’s business and technology sectors are about investing in 3D printing education. In fact, the program, which provides 3D printers and compatible curricula, was introduced today at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2015, and people are excited about the potential that 3D printing has as it applies to almost every academic subject.

Monica Malhotra Kandhari, Senior Director of the MBD Group, says MBD is the first company to address 3D printing in India’s K-12 student demographic:

“MBD is the first publishing house to bring progressive education technology solutions to students in India. We are committed in creating powerful and innovative learning environments in schools. This is for the first time that 3D printers will be introduced to the K-12 education system. We would be engaging with schools to bring this technology to their doorstep; initially we would be reaching out to schools in metros and then will take our initiative to other cities”.

For anyone familiar with MBD Group’s reach, it makes sense that it is the first company to address India’s 3D printing education market. They already supply traditional text, work, and reference books, as well as teachers’ manuals, and they also lead in the digital education arena. MBD Group has developed education apps, digital content, e-Books, notebooks, and tablets. The company’s Nytra is an augmented reality app that is extremely inovative in its classroom applications since it brings textbook material to life, and today’s introduction of 3D Learning Solutions places MBD on the cutting edge of new education technologies in India and beyond.

It is MBD Group’s belief that almost every school subject benefits from 3D printing technology. They will provide printers and software to integrate 3D printing technology into already adopted K-12 curricula. The group also plans to offer higher education institutes 3D curricula and software in the STEAM fields.

Where MBD Group is involved,  other countries will likely follow since MBD has international offices in Africa and the Middle East, and is the only Indian publishing company included in South Africa’s national catalog, having expanded to three continents, thirty countries, and five thousand cities while carrying over eight-thousand titles. This expansive market reach positions MBD Group to have a major influence on 3D printing related education materials globally, and their roll out of 3D Learning Solutions is likely to be just the beginning of the company’s engagement with 3D technology education.

We know the future is in our students’ hands, and this development is yet another event pointing to 3D printing’s likely prominence in developed and developing nations’ economies and schools in the not too distant future.  Let us know your thoughts on this education initiative in India.  Discuss in the MBD 3D Printing Program forum thread on 3DPB.com.