Ray Stata: Reaching Out To Third World Villagers

摘要

Some people dream of what it would be like if third-world countries had the advantage of technology. Instead of dreaming, Ray Stata is doing something about it. Stata, founder of Analog Devices, is pushing technology into emerging nations like India, Africa, and in the Middle East. His goal is "to help bring the benefits of technology to the lives of the poorest people in developing countries like India." He's doing it by investing in enterprises that bring wireless technology and the Internet into villages. The video kiosks help reduce the travel time involved with medical treatment. It often takes a day or two for villagers to travel to a city for medical care. Now, an eye hospital in India uses a video camera in a village kiosk to diagnose cataracts. "In one shot you can actually diagnose and set up an appointment" for the surgery, eliminating the need for the initial trip into the city, says Stata. Many villagers are away from home for weeks or months at a time. By using video kiosks, they can stay in touch with their family. "Video communications will be an important factor in their lives. It's really happening and this model can prove it. A lot of good things will happen in the next couple of decades for billions of people who are not too well off," says Stata. Others have recognized his work in India. He was named Foreign Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering.