Huawei to replicate its Kenya digital classroom initiative in five more countries
Huawei ’s digital classroom initiative DigiTruck is expanding to five additional countries including France and the Philippines in the next two years.
This was announced by Huawei’s Deputy Chairman Ken Hu at the Global Education Webinar entitled “Driving Equity and Quality with Technology ” held last week. The webinar was joined by leaders and experts from UNESCO, GSMA, the Ministry of National Education of Senegal, universities and educational institutions, as well as the private sector.
Hu noted that success of Huawei’s first DigiTruck project in Kenya, which has provided training for more than 1,500 young people and teachers in rural areas.
“Driving Equity and Quality with Technology”, emphasizing that “connecting schools and skills development are two key ways for Huawei to improve equitable and quality education.” he said.
”Huawei plans to replicate the program in France, the Philippines and three other countries in the next two years” he added.
The DigiTruck in Kenya is operated by Computers for Schools Kenya and works together with the Ministry of ICT’s Ajira initiative, Safaricom’s Blaze initiative, UNESCO and other partners. Participants learn how to use computers and office software, how to use the internet to find and do work online, how to learn and develop their careers online, how to be safe online, how to buy and sell their goods online, and how to be safe online.
“These all solar-powered, mobile classrooms with wireless broadband access can reach even the most remote communities.” Olivier Vanden Eynde, CEO of Close the Gap, the global partner of DigiTruck, said.
“The digital skills that the DigiTruck helped provide before the pandemic struck have never been more necessary now that even more of life and work is necessarily happening online.’’ Said Mr. Stone He, Huawei Kenya Chief Executive officer.
‘’As Kenya’s digital transformation gathers pace, it is critical that every single Kenyan is prepared for this, and our research has shown that digital skills are currently a very significant challenge for many. We thank our partners in Kenya who have enabled Huawei’s first DigiTruck to be so successful that now Huawei is going to scale-up our support to other countries.” Stone added.
Huawei also plans to provide digital skills training for vulnerable groups in remote areas, especially female students, through projects such as DigiTruck in a program called ‘Skills on Wheels.’
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