Engineer William Hewlett co-founded Hewlett Packard with the late David Packard, but the former HP Chairman also found himself gearing towards charity in an effort to give back to the community.

Although William Hewlett’s philanthropic interests are varied, he had always been inclined to give education in the United States a helping hand. William Hewlett’s participation in several school and college boards were a testament to his dedication to quality education. Hewlett was a trustee of Stanford University from 1963 to 1974. Prior to that, he was also a trustee of Mills College in Oakland, California from 1958 to 1968.

William Hewlett’s dedication to education and medicine was recognized by the California Academy of Sciences. His significant contributions to engineering programs as well as other endeavors are also recognized. Hewlett was also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 1967, William Hewlett and his wife Flora established the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to put in order his and his wife’s philanthropic pursuits. Though the Hewlett Foundation is primarily concerned with environmental and social issues, education is not overlooked.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is very keen in providing quality education, specifically in the state of California. The Hewlett Foundation is currently handling four educational programs – Improving Achievement, Improving Educational Outcomes in California, Open Educational Resources Initiative, and Opportunity.

It is quite obvious that William Hewlett sought to better education through new academic approach and open sources technology. This educational reform will require significant financial backing and further research to make it a reality.

Aside from Hewlett, other technological moguls like Steve Jobs share the same sentiment of a system of education based on open source learning.