2011 Tech Award Laureates Announced

A doctor devised a “solar suitcase” to provide emergency lighting and power for medical procedures conducted in regions without access to a consistent source of electricity.

Ethiopian television has created a children’s show to increase functional literacy in the country by using a popular puppet to teach youth the overwhelming 231 characters of their native language.

An organization in India offers affordable, potable water via solar-powered “water ATMs” to people living on less than $2 a day.

These extraordinary efforts that use technology to benefit humanity are among the 15 projects announced today as recipients of the 2011 Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials in partnership with the Tech Museum. The Awards which honor innovators who are addressing critical global problems in the areas of the Environment, Economic Development, Education, Equality, and Health will be presented at a Gala in Silicon Valley, California on October 20, 2011.

While the issues faced by this year’s Laureates can be challenging and complex, their solutions are always inspiring. I encourage you to learn more about how the 2011 honorees are improving the way people live around the world.

At the Tech Awards, philanthropist Jeff Skoll, who was eBay’s first President, will also receive the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award for his vision and leadership in helping to alleviate humanity's greatest challenges.