Category: EduTECH

  • Technology in Education: Exploring the EdoBEST model

    Every morning teachers in schools under the EdoBEST programme in Edo state clock in using their government issued tablets, teach from lesson guides in the tablets, record pupils’ scores on the tablets and also receive periodic training from the same devices.

    The technology is so exact and interconnected that basic education sector managers know when a teacher is not in school, or when a teacher is not teaching in class. They are also aware of the group of teachers and pupils that need additional support throughout the academic year real time. These things are only possible because of technology.

    The system run by Edo state was instituted to address challenges in the school system which could not be solved without resources to modern technology. Over the past four years, it has been strengthened to deliver more on its purpose.

    Employing technology in education requires a synergy between all arms of administration to ensure the free flow of information and processes from the offices to the classrooms. Utilising this synergy is what EdoBEST has unlocked in the delivery of basic education services to schools in the state.

    According to Governor Godwin Obaseki, “To rebuild any structure, you have to start from the base and the base of our educational system is basic education”. With this in mind, the governor instituted an education reform in the state leveraging technology at the basic education level. That reform is referred to as EdoBEST, which has been spread to the junior secondary school system.

    Imagine a network of connected systems and levels of administration being synergised at all levels of learning with no hindrance to processes and delivery systems. What this means for education is seamless delivery of services ranging from teaching to supervision and school inspection and at this, EdoBEST is getting it right.

    Walking into any EdoBEST school, several distinct features stand out, distinguishing the class from your regular classroom like the STRIVE points framework boldly written on the board serving as an interactive feature that helps capture a child’s attention. However, what immediately holds your attention is the green pouch housing the gold mine that is the teacher tablet.

    Addressing the induction trainees at the induction graduation, the Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB noted that “Government is taking the reform across the education sector so that Edo State can be the BEST in all aspects of education”. The programme has taken this up a notch by being the best in utilizing technology for educational advancement.

    For Progressive Teacher Mrs. Patricia Onaiwu, a teacher at Ijieduma School, who prior to January 2022, had never used an EdoBEST teaching tool, the adoption of her school by the EdoBEST programme was a welcome development in increasing learning outcomes. Speaking on the importance of technology in teaching lessons, she noted that using the teacher tablet makes teaching easier. Confident in the use of the teacher tablet, she teaches her children efficiently thereby motivating them to learn.

    The EdoBEST programme has infused the use of technology in ensuring the smooth delivery of education services in the state through the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board. The use of this technology has been applauded by reputable education stakeholders and has earned the programme the status of being the only sub-national programme under the World Bank Accelerator Programme.

    No mean feat, the programme has continued to live up to the standard associated with world-class programmes as it continues to leverage technology in its service delivery. All its processes are now digitized taking its supervisory routine away from analogue to digital processes.

    The programme has dedicated field officers who are responsible for ensuring that the processes run smoothly, leaving no room for errors. These field officers are divided into two groups; Learning and Development Officers who are concerned with ensuring the quality of learning content and Quality Assurance Officers tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the quality of learning in all EdoBEST schools.

    In the first six months of 2022, 251 hi-tech tablets were given to Quality Assurance Officers (QAOs) and Learning and Development Officers (LDOs) to improve the quality of their reports, giving recommendations and data in real time.

    The devices which were distributed to QAOs and LDOs will enhance their ability to monitor activities in schools, thereby ensuring that teaching and learning objectives are being met.

    Amenaghawon Osaghede, a QAO from Oredo LGA explained that the shift towards digital operations in the EdoBEST programme will allow for efficiency and free flow of information allowing for real-time resolution.

    She noted that “GPS placement will no longer be a problem. The device will help us support teachers and heads of schools with resolutions on-the-go whenever we encounter problems. The tablets will make work faster, make our reports authentic and work will go on without hindrances.”

    Edo SUBEB continues to prioritise the delivery of quality education across the state. The board has designed and implemented a robust school supervisory system that is facilitating on-the-spot teacher support and routine teacher professional development to further boost learning outcomes among pupils.

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  • MTN Introduces *460*600# for SME Learning Data Bundle Subscription

    Leading technology company, MTN Nigeria Plc has announced a new data bundle specially designed for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who desire to access free business capacity-building content but cannot afford the data required to do so.

    Recognizing the benefits of knowledge and information to growing businesses and the challenge for small businesses to access these knowledge resources at scale, the telco giant has partnered with reputable organizations that already provide free focused developmental content and solutions for small businesses.

    The partner organizations currently include the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the foremost non-profit organization, FATE Foundation, and Pan-Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), with more partners to join these names in due course.

    The learning data plan works exclusively on websites of partner organizations, currently offering free capacity-building resources for MSMEs. Commenting on the partnership, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor said: “having understood the need for capacity building and the positive impact of continuous learning on MSMEs, MTN has partnered with reputable learning providers to bring learning closer to MSMEs. With these new affordable plans, data access will no longer impede learning.” She added that these partnerships are testaments to MTN’s commitment to delivering the benefits of a modern connected world to businesses.

    Similarly, the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Wale Fasanya noted that: “This initiative will boost access to learning resources on the SME Digital Academy for micro and small businesses and greatly improve their chances of thriving. The businesses will also receive certificates of completion endorsed by SMEDAN. He commended MTN and its technical partner Sapphital Learning, for making this available and pledged the commitment of SMEDAN towards educating, empowering, and elevating millions of MSMEs across the country”.

    Also affirming the partnership, Adenike Adeyemi, the Executive Director, FATE Foundation, remarked that: “This partnership will enable Nigerian entrepreneurs to have fast and easy access to essential resources on the msmehub.org with tools, templates, and resources to sustain their businesses”

    Noting that the partnership was coming at the appropriate time, the Director, Pan-Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Dr Peter Bamkole, stated that “offering the EDC toolkit platform to SMEs will provide them with useful information, business resources and continuous learning opportunity to grow and succeed”.

    Business owners can activate the learning bundle via USSD and SMS by dialling *460*600# or sending Learn to 131 respectively. The bundle subscription is available to all MTN prepaid subscribers.

    Customers can also check their bundle balance on *460*4*3#, *131*4# and *556#.

    The bonus data is designed to deplete with use on any of the platforms. Usage is cumulative and the offer is as low as N200 with a seven-day validity.

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  • CASSON Positioned to Guide Individual Self Understanding and Professionalism, says Lagos Chairperson

    Following the signing into law the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria (CASSON) by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Counselling Association of Nigeria has further expressed determination to help learners to actualize their academic potential and make appropriate career decisions. 

    The long-awaited Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON)’s bill has finally been assented to operate as the Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria after 26 years of obtaining its certificate of registration.

     Professor Elizabeth Omotunde Egbochukwu, the National President of the Association
    Professor Elizabeth Omotunde Egbochukwu, National President of CASSON

    Disclosing this was Professor Elizabeth Omotunde Egbochukwu, the National President of the Association, in a press statement she signed and made available to TechEconomy.ng on Friday, by Professor Emmanuel Awoyemi, the National General Secretary.

    The CASSON Bill, which was first read on the floor of the Senate on the March 1, 2018 was assented to by the President Muhammadu Buhari  on June  27, 2022, which makes it 26 years after the association had got its certificate of registration on April 22, 1996.

    She said that with the establishment and the passage of the bill, CASSON can now operate as a full-fledged Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria and the development has also put it in a position to offer much more service to the nation.

    She acknowledged that the move was in line with the association’s dream to establish council for the conduct of qualifying examinations, regulating the counselling profession, and determining standard of knowledge and skill required of persons seeking to become members of the counselling profession in Nigeria.

    Prof. Egbochukwu also said that counselling is a practice that seeks to improve psychological wellbeing and mental health of the contemporary society.

    “A professional counsellor is a highly trained individual who is able to use a different range of counselling approaches with their clients to resolve personal, social, or psychological issues. They are trained to counsel clients in trauma, abuse, addictions, family, and relationship issues, problems and many more,” she said.

    Egbochukwu hinted that in a bid to upgrade its standard, the association, founded on the November 15, 1975 had on March 14, 2019, gone back to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to update its certificate of registration, while the trustees previously registered on the April 22 1996 by special resolution,  had reconstituted its Board of Trustees.

    She listed the members to include Professors Frank Carew, Ayo Hammed, Mohammed Ibrahim Yakassai, Bulama Kagu, Olaniyi Bojuwoye, Daniel Denga, Ibrahim Kolo, Elizabeth O. Egbochukwu, Roibito Ekanem and Dr (Mrs) Pat Nwamuo.

    Meanwhile, the following members according to her were duly appointed in the early days of the association trustees namely Professors Olu Makinde, C.G.M. Bakare, M.P Mallum, Frank Carew and Dr (Mrs) C.C Achebe.

    CASSON - Dr. Ayannuga Modupe Olayinka, Chairperson, Counselling Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter
    Dr. Ayannuga Modupe Olayinka, Chairperson, CASSON, Lagos State Chapter

    Commenting, Dr. Olayinka Modupe Ayannuga, Chairperson, Counselling Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Bill into law.

    With the establishment and passage of CASSON’s Act 2022, ‘the Counselling Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria’ is now in a position to offer much more service to the country’s educational sector”, she said.

    CASSON President also said that Counselling has been centrifugally a school-based activity, helping learners to actualize their academic potential and make appropriate career decisions.

    Dr Ayannuga added that counselling is needed in the society by everyone for a better understanding of self, discover their potentialities, grow to the best of their abilities and overcome a difficult situation.

    “These goals remain central to the core professional focus of the Counselling Association of Nigeria.”

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  • How Kelvin Alaneme’s CareerEdu has Helped 1000 Young Nigerians Get UK Visa for Study and Work

    Japa season is here again and as has been predicted by many news organizations, thousands of young Nigerians with UK visas will be leaving the country in droves in the coming weeks in search of better lives abroad.

    But, as a lot of them have found out, and many more are still finding out, obtaining those visas are not easy. From finance, finding the right schools and jobs with the right tuition plans, and even getting affordable accommodation abroad, many have been frustrated, with a lot of them giving up the search.

    CareerEdu is an education technology platform that is not only simplifying the process of landing UK visas, it is also hooking young Nigerians up to the right schools, the right jobs, very cost effective means and an overall seamless process.

    Registered in both Nigeria and the UK, the platform, which set out to simply share free relocation information and opportunities, has since morphed into a launchpad for global opportunities – a place where people come for scholarship opportunities, relocation guidance and job opportunities both at home and abroad.

    CareerEdu Telegram
    CareerEdu on Telegram

    With an active membership of more than 27,000 people on its Telegram platform, CareerEdu is one of the biggest relocation platforms in Nigeria. It has helped more than 1,000 young Nigerians secure UK visas in less than 2 years of operation.

    Over 27,000 members and more than 1,000 success stories

    The platform was founded “by accident” in October 2020. According to its Founder, a UK-based medical practitioner, Kelvin Alaneme, CareerEdu was established as a reaction to the Nigerian government’s response to the shootings that brought the #EndSARS protest to a sudden end.

    Kelvin Alaneme, CareerEdu
    Kelvin Alaneme, Founder CareerEdu

    “I was angered by the government’s response to the protest, and made some Facebook posts stating that anyone who wanted to relocate should contact me for free information on how to do so. For the next 48 hours, I received about 500 messages inbox and responded to all,” Kelvin says.

    But as can be expected, responding to each of those 500 messages was very exhausting. That was when Kelvin decided he needed a WhatsApp group to broadcast his knowledge and instructions. But what he didn’t envisage was that a WhatsApp group would be too small for the traffic he was about to experience.

    “The group filled up in 2 hours,” he says. “But rather than create a second WhatsApp group, we decided to move to Telegram and in two days had 2,000 members. Our Telegram group has over 27,000 members now. We also have a lot of members following us on various social media platforms.”

    In its 22 months of operation, CareerEdu has deliberately tailored its services to helping young Nigerians succeed in their plans to relocate abroad, and because not everyone would relocate abroad, getting great jobs back home.

    “In our 22 month of operation, our startup has helped over 1000 Nigerians get Visas to the UK. This is a conservative estimate we got from the poll we took on the group and the cumulative feedback we got from persons who have used our services,” the Founder said.

    How CareerEdu works

    CareerEdu provides guidance for young Nigerians who wish to travel abroad for study to get study Visas (Tier-4 Visas in the UK). It also helps those relocating for work with guidance on how to get work Visas (Tier 2 Visa in the UK). Kelvin talks more about these classes of visas as well as why Nigerians should be exempted from IELTS  in this BBC interview.

    The facilitators on the CareerEdu platform share free information on the step-by-step approach of landing a Masters admission in the UK. This is more like a do-it-yourself service.

    But for users who can’t do it themselves, the platform has its Premium Masters Service and the Premium PhD service which they can subscribe for. This is a done-for-you service which helps the users to directly obtain the admissions they seek.

    CareerEdu also has a Care Job Pathway Service which has proven to be very effective at helping people find jobs and relocate to the UK to work as Healthcare Assistants. Through this service, the platform prepares applicants to improve their chances of landing employment by inserting them into job pools, helping them prepare for interviews and generally providing guidance till they land job offers.

    “Many of our members have applied these steps, gotten UK visas and are currently in the UK,” Kelvin said. “While many of them are students, a good number of the persons we have helped to relocate are those who came for work such as doctors, nurses and most recently healthcare assistants.”

    Aside from the Premium Masters Service, Care Job Pathway Service and Premium PhD Service, CareerEdu also has other paid services to help serve the community like its IELTS Masterclass and its Premium Visa Application Service.

    Helping prospective UK visa applicants cut cost

    One of the major challenges facing the average Nigerian UK visa applicant is cost. From visa application cost to processing fees, tuition, flight fees and even accommodation, relocating abroad for study or work is Capital intensive. But CareerEdu has various programmes aimed at helping the prospective applicant to cut costs up to half.

    Its Premium Masters and Premium PhD services, for instance, are designed to help applicants get very affordable schools with flexible tuition plans. This is all-so important especially for study visa applicants because it can greatly reduce the upfront costs of relocation.

    “Our Premium services are super-affordable as we do not want finances to stop people from chasing their dreams. At the moment, we don’t give out loans. But we have a  financial product in the works that will help ease survival for students who have relocated.”

    Kelvin says the company is currently in touch with some homeowners in the UK to find affordable accommodation for young Nigerians coming to the UK. This is to help provide some degree of soft landing for them as they come.

    Because sometimes, efficient planning for traveling abroad involves earning a good income back in Nigeria, CareerEdu also helps young Nigeria’s find gainful employment back home. It does this through its ‘Hot Naija Jobs’ section on its website.

    The startup posts between 10 to 15 jobs every day from genuine vacancies sent directly to it from employers and recruiters around the country.

    Aside from its Telegram group, the education technology platform also has a website. It also recently launched an app which is an extension of its website. The app is currently available only on Android with an iOS version to be launched in the near future.

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  • MTN Foundation Backs 15th Edition of LIMCAF

    The MTN Foundation through its youth empowerment initiative is sponsoring the 15th edition of the Life in My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF). 

    LIMCAF is an annual visual arts festival targeted at Nigerian youths, who submit their artwork for review by a panel of judges, after which shortlisted entries will participate in regional and national competitions.

    Following the call for entry and submissions received, regional exhibitions are currently being held across the country, in eight states including Benin, Abuja, Ondo, Ibadan, Lagos, Uyo, Enugu and Port-Harcourt, between July 22 and September 23, 2022.

    The yearly competitive visual arts event was created to encourage and empower young Nigerian artists under the age of 35. According to a 2021 report published by Jobberman, the Nigerian arts and creative industry is positioned as the country’s second-largest employer and has the potential to produce 2.7million jobs by 2025. Additionally, it is set to contribute N5 trillion to the country’s GDP.

    Speaking at the exhibition in Lagos, Executive Director, LIMCAF, Mr Kevin Ejiofor, said the festival would help make young artists proud to be called artists and also help them make a living from their creativity. “Art is a way of life and everybody appreciates it, if not, how do you choose the colour of your clothes or the style of your hair? It’s just that not everyone knows how to manifest it. Art is not just the hanging on the wall, that hanging on the wall is an interpretation of the life the artist lives by bringing it closer to make meaning out of it.” 

    This year, we had over 200 entries, and we are grateful to all our sponsors for making this year’s competition a reality, especially the MTN Foundation, who is our major sponsor this year,” he said.

    Also giving his address at the exhibition, Director, MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro, said that MTN Foundation is always committed to promoting young talents through various initiatives, one of which is the art festival. He went on to encourage the artist present saying, “You are creative and you not winning this competition doesn’t reduce your creativity.”

    He further encouraged the artists to be courageous and never feel intimidated by other professions. “Whenever you come to the realm of art, know that you are the best creative talent nature can have. Never feel inferior to any profession,” he said.

    The MTN Foundation continues to invest in and empower Nigerian youths in the arts and creative industry through various programmes like; the MTN – MUSON diploma scholarship, sponsorship of theatre productions, Beeta playwright competition and the ongoing Life In My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF).

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  • DLM Capital Group Introduces Child Education Plan

    DLM Asset Management, a DLM Capital Group subsidiary, has launched its Child Education Plan which aligns with the firm’s commitment to providing opportunities for parents/guardians to secure the education of their children or wards through effective planning and sustainable investments.

    The DLM Child Education Plan aims to provide parents and guardians with an easy and appropriate way to handle the burdens of tuition payment through efficient planning and long-term investments.

    In other words, it is a suitable and flexible investment plan that enables parents/guardians to plan and fund their children’s education from kindergarten to tertiary levels.

    The DLM Child Education Plan allows you plan and invest in your children’s education on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.

    The company explained that the Child Education Plan also allows investors to tailor their plans according to their specific needs or situations.

    The DLM Child Education Plan is divided into three (3) plans: the Silver plan, which requires a minimum of N20,000 per time, the Gold plan, which requires a minimum of N100,000 per time, and the Platinum plan, which requires a minimum of N250,000 per time.

    Furthermore, the DLM Child Education Plan provides the option of working with an advisor who will provide relevant and useful information while guiding the client through the entire planning process.

    Speaking about the new product, George Aniegbunem, Head DLM Asset Management, stated, “Despite the recent economic meltdown, most parents and guardians will agree that the importance of education cannot be overstated.”

    As a result, the DLM Child Education Plan was implemented to provide a sustainable and dependable plan for funding a child’s education at all levels of education (mostly primary, secondary, and tertiary levels). Indeed, the current economic situation and high inflation rate have put tremendous strain on many families; thus, we are here to help with strategies that would provide a suitable plan, financial literacy, and the ease of funding children’s education in a seamless manner’’.

    More about DLM Asset Management

    DLM Asset Management Limited (DLM Asset) is a member of the DLM Capital Group. Licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria to act as Investment Adviser and Fund/Portfolio Manager.

    DLM Asset Management delivers asset management solutions to its diverse range of clients; retail, mass affluent, institutional and HNI clients through its expertise in Portfolio/Fund Management, Collective Investment Schemes, and Investment Advisory Services.

    DLM is a member of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN).

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  • Ckrowd Partners School on Air to Disrupt Tech, Educational Curricula in Africa

    Ckrowd, Africa’s most preferred and premium content streaming platform, and School on Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to publish an education catalogue that will support young students in Africa and leverage technology to deliver affordable educational programmes.  

    School on Air, powered by premier Nigerian educational Organisation, Educational Advancement Center, has partnered with Ckrowd to deliver digital STEM classes in Nigerian home-grown languages (Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa & French), which will help to address the language barrier for students who were raised predominantly in their mother-tongue. 

    According to research, many young Yoruba students have shown greater interest and grew their knowledge retention of STEM subjects by 65%, when studying in their mother-tongue.  

    Similarly, knowledge retention, assimilation and interest for STEM by young Hausa students grew by 250% after learning STEM languages in their native language.  

    The MoU formalises a framework of cooperation and facilitates collaboration between Ckrowd and School on Air to deliver STEM classes utilising Nigerian local languages, including Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and French. This initiative will reach more than 40 million young Africans, particularly across West Africa and provide students from different walks of life to access education, learning opportunities and improve their livelihoods. 

    Ckrowd and School on Air enter into partnership
    Source: Ckrowd

    Both organisations will actively work together to build a large educational catalogue, which will contribute to delivering affordable education to many young students across the Continent through the usage of innovative technological tools – all of which will help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

    Kayode Adebayo, CEO of Ckrowd said: “The MoU we signed today will serve as a good starting point for generating synergies in areas of education, technology and the dissemination and advocacy of knowledge. Ckrowd and School on Air will organise joint STEM classes, seminars and training courses in different West African languages to promote inclusive educational growth for all, even when not using English as lingua franca. 

    This is just the beginning, as Ckrowd is committed to improving lives for the next generations of young Africans, by partnering with tech manufacturing, educational content producers, data and streaming service companies to deliver true value to young Diasporans and Africans on the Continent, creating unique and ad-hoc local solutions and innovation to advance African nations and harness the new dynamic of the digital age, content creation, technology and education.”  

    “The collaboration between Ckrowd and School on Air will ensure the dissemination of knowledge and will enable many young students across the Continent to harness Ckrowd’s technology to access a greater pool of education resources in different non-Western idioms. School on Air is excited to promote and facilitate this initiative, which will mutually increase our learning and broaden our collective impact across Africa,” commented Mr. Muyiwa Bamgbose, CEO of School on Air.  

    This agreement aims to bridge the gaps in education across the African continent and provide opportunities that will help students to get themselves equipped with the technical skill sets, professional knowledge and attitude to excel and function at a global level with a comprehensive curriculum to benefit the next generation. 

    This partnership will disrupt the traditional educational approach across many African nations, but instead encourage talent development, innovation, technology and knowledge advancement by tailoring digital lessons that can reach even those young people that might have been at risk of missing out schools, due to circumstances while ensuring that those lessons are adapted with examples and lexicon that is adaptable to their local experience and language. 

    This will further help to create the next generation of talented STEM professionals who have a global understanding of the world and can compete at a global level and advance the Continent. 

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  • How Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is Helping to Grow Africa’s Productivity

    The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, through initiatives like SVC and SEF and university partnerships like the one with EARTH University, which focuses on entrepreneurship and transformative leadership in agriculture, provides Scholars with opportunities to address local challenges, develop entrepreneurship skills, and leverage agriculture to impact their communities positively, so state the experts.

    https://techeconomy.ng/2021/11/list-of-10-universities-for-mastercard-foundation-scholars-program-e-learning-initiative/

    And as they do so, research confirms, they create opportunities that drive learning and leadership for themselves and their peers.

    According to a 2019 report by McKinsey, 60 percent of Africans are engaged in subsistence farming. It makes up 23 percent of the continent’s GDP and is one of the most critical sectors for development. Feed Africa, a report from the African Development Bank Group, states, “Africa has 65 percent of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, an abundance of fresh water, and about 300 days of sunshine each year.”

    Africa’s potential to meet not only its own food needs but those of the rest of the world is abundantly clear.

    Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

    Fundamentally, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program fosters the development of Africa’s future leaders in diverse sectors, including agriculture.

    Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
    Photo By Mastercard

    Moreover, Scholars are committed to giving back to their communities using their skills, knowledge, and networks to address challenges and drive innovation.

    The Scholars Program includes initiatives such as the Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF), which was launched in 2018, and the Social Venture Challenge (SVC), a partnership with the Resolution Projects entering its seventh year.

    Both give Scholars and alumni an opportunity to pitch their ideas and bring them to life. Since 2016, more than 140 Scholars have been awarded Resolution Fellowships and their ventures are spread across 19 countries.

    Furthermore, 33 percent of the Scholars surveyed regarding their ventures reported running ag-related businesses.

    Mastercard also reveals that in 2016, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Lucia Lebasha and John Awiel, both Kenyans, created an award-winning social entrepreneurship project called Save the Pastoralist Initiative (STPI), motivated by their childhood experiences of hunger and severe drought in Turkana, Kenya.

    This was achieved through their knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices gained through their studies at EARTH University. 

    The people of Turkana predominately live a nomadic, pastoral way of life in which their animals are the primary source of food and wealth.

    Turkana is also one of the driest districts in the country; rainfall is minimal and unpredictable. The many years of drought have created an ongoing struggle with hunger and malnutrition and a continual threat to their cattle and pastoral land.

    STPI began as an educational communications effort, writing and posting agricultural articles online in local newsletters and on their blog and Facebook page.

    Taking these efforts one step further, Lucia and John established a demonstration farm in Lodwar, the region’s economic centre, where they educated traditional pastoralists and young people on the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices with a focus on subsistence farming, conservation, technology, and job creation.

    And while John recently joined the admissions team at EARTH University, responsible for recruiting Scholars with a passion for agriculture, Lucia continues to run the project working with local communities and organizations in Turkana South Sub-County, Kangirega.

    The project currently supports 43 farmers (24 women and 19 men), providing training on agronomic farm inputs and linkages to markets for their products and financial institutions.

    Project 7840 was developed by Scholars Ernest Chakwera and Nancy Machera in 2016 to alleviate the effects of droughts on their village of Khwelewere in the Ntchisi district of central Malawi. The project helps Malawians access water for consumption and crops, using local resources and promoting sustainable water use for the benefit of the community. It also provides local farmers with support and education about sustainable farming techniques, local market opportunities, and financing options.

    In addition, through Universidad EARTH Graduates Association (UNEGA) Integrated Farm, Scholars Alex Kyeyune, Fatimah Birungi, and Paul Mukuye have created innovative ways to boost farming practices and techniques, which have significantly improved the health and well-being of many rural communities. In Uganda, smallholder farmers face several challenges such as scarcity of land, ashy soil, and drought — all of which affect productivity.

    Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

    In 2017, the UNEGA team introduced sustainable farming techniques such as micro-gardening, including vertical, pyramid, and bio-intensive farming, through their demonstration farm in Kabubbu Village, Uganda.

    These techniques have helped farmers double and triple their yields without increasing the land required for cultivation.

    Balancing it with sustainability efforts, the eco-friendly micro-gardens use recyclable materials such as plastics, old tires, and bags, and seventy-five percent of the manure used is organic. In the last three years, the team has trained 54 households, which in turn have shared what they have learned with more than 100 households.

    Of the 154 households, 60 have established small gardens at their residences. UNEGA has also worked with ten schools to educate school heads on the value of school gardens, and five have established gardens of their own. Through their efforts, 16 women-led businesses have had access to a continuous supply of vegetables to sell.

    In 2020, Esnath Divasoni from East Harare, Zimbabwe, developed innovative and indigenous farming techniques that are eco-friendly and mitigate malnutrition and food insecurity. She ventured into an unfamiliar terrain – cricket farming. Though plucking worms from trees and collecting insects in plastic bags was a common sight for her growing up, she felt it could be more plentiful and regular than just being seasonal.

    The group adds, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum from CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education), which accorded her secondary education, after which she proceeded to EARTH University, Costa Rica, Esnath is now one of two core trainers in the CAMFED Agriculture Guide program. They have trained 320 Agriculture Guides across several districts who are now cascading their knowledge to other women across the country. Her edible-insect production unit is an eco-friendly five-by-seven-meter room with rows of large blue and greenwashing tubs stacked on two shelves on her parent’s farm in Marondera.

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  • DSN Unveils MacroTutor, an AI-powered On-demand Education Platform

    Data Scientists Network (formerly known as Data Science Nigeria DSN) has launched a digital education access and delivery platform that helps schools and parents to prepare African youths for the future of work and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

    With a median age of 17 years and the increasing need for young Africans to participate in the digital economy, there is an urgency to prepare primary and secondary students in sub-Saharan Africa to access the over 230 million jobs which will require digital skills by 2030.

    https://techeconomy.ng/2022/02/dsns-products-among-ircai-unesco-global-top-100-ai-products-for-social-impact/

    The product, “MacroTutor”, is an AI-powered, on-demand, and affordable edtech solution for schools and parents to access the best quality teachers and digital learning content in expert areas such as Coding, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Programming, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Interaction Design etc.

    MacroTutor by DSN
    AI Summer camp at DSN

    The platform will democratize access to world-class digital skill acquisition through a network of well-trained tutors who can deliver personalized and curriculum-based learning at students’ homes on a one-on-one basis or to a group of students in a school.

    For schools, this will be a significant value-add to enhance the learning outcome of students while eliminating the additional cost of full-time digital/ICT teachers. MacroTutor will provide a cheaper alternative to high-quality teachers and world-class content at the rates that any low to medium-cost schools can afford.

    With this inclusive, pervasive and more affordable access to digital skills, no child is left behind across the continent.

    MacroTutor’s product innovation is aimed to bridge the capacity gaps between what is being currently taught in Nigerian schools and the future-ready skills that learners will require to participate, contribute, and compete in the global world.

    As it has been generally acknowledged, digital literacy and hands-on computing skills will become foundational competencies which every professional must have. Hence, the need to start early through bespoke and context-aware learning interventions built on the peculiar challenges of the emerging market, especially in the areas of localized technological curriculum and distributed on-demand expert network.

    Speaking on the initiative, Toyin Adekanmbi, the Executive Director of DSN, described it as “a creative and innovative approach to democratize computer and ICT education in Nigeria, which ensures that any school can offer world-class digital subjects and provide future-focused learning to students without any cashflow strain and an additional salary cost. Old students associations and Parents-Teachers-Associations can even support their schools with dedicated digital education teachers”.

    MacroTutor will be the ultimate destination to access the best digital teachers at the most affordable rate for parents and schools who desire to prepare their students for the skills and expertise to drive global competitiveness in the future.

    Schools can get a tutor on the platform by visiting here while parents can also download the app, “MacroTutor” from Google Play or Apple iOS store to request a tutor.

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  • A Guide to Finding the Best Tech Scholarships

    The digital revolution has increased the demand for tech-related skills in job markets. However, the academic programs offering degrees in computer and technology require a significant financial investment.

    Fortunately, numerous institutions, enterprises, non-profits, and states offer tech scholarships for prospective students to make education affordable and accessible for everyone.

    So, if you do not want to miss out on the opportunity, read on further to learn more about the best-matched tech scholarships, with eligibility criteria, prerequisites, and more.

    Steps to Start Tech Scholarship Research

    Before starting your scholarship research, keep the following points in view:

    • Some tech scholarships have strict prerequisites, such as scholarship holders must maintain a specific GPA or should work at distinct organizations during their periodic breaks throughout their enrollment. So before applying, read the policies carefully to avoid any later inconvenience.
    • Before applying, review the scholarship amounts as some tech scholarships provide lump sum funds that only cover specific expenses, like tuition fees or semester fees.
    • Note down your interests and scholarship offerings, compare them and determine which scholarships will comply with your goals and needs. Then apply accordingly.
    • Enlist the deadlines of your selected tech scholarships, and apply ASAP, as the earlier submissions will increase your winning chances.
    • Be proactive, and compile your supporting documentation for scholarship applications and personal statements. Organize other requisites to avoid delay.

    Best Tech Scholarships for Undergraduate Programs

    Once you complete all the required steps, explore these best tech scholarships for undergraduate programs.

    1. Foundation for Information Technology Education (FITE)

    The FITE scholarship is an affiliated program with the organization of Association of Technology Professionals. The association provides support to IT professionals around the globe.

    Scholarship Award Fund: Varies

    Eligibility Prerequisites:

    • Applicants must be registered in full-time undergraduate IT programs or any related programs. 
    • Must have a 3.0 GPA in one semester.
    • And must have completed one semester in their institutions.

    Deadline: Applications open every year between January – May.

    2. CryptoPotato Scholarship

    Several computing and technology organizations recognize the value of cryptocurrency in the advanced world.

    The field of cryptocurrency and Bitcoin are future booming industries. And to support the crypto revolution and help the new crypto users, various scholarship programs are available for prospective students.

    The CryptoPotato is one of these scholarship programs.

    Scholarship Award Fund: A total of $1400 will award to two selected students – $700 for each. 

    Eligibility Prerequisites:

    • Students enrolled in computer science or economics undergraduate programs in accredited colleges or universities in the USA.
    • Applicants must submit a precise essay on the given topic.
    • The selection criteria revolve around the quality of the essay and proof of academic enrollment. 

    Deadline: Applications open every year between May-Dec.

    3. AITP Scholarships/Robert Half Technology

    AITP is a legacy program of Robert Half Technology that supports IT organizations and professionals. AITP offer specially devised scholarships for IT students or prospects enrolled in related programs.

    Scholarship Award Fund: A total of $2500 will award to two selected students i.e. $1250 for each. 

    Eligibility Prerequisites:

    • Applicants must be registered in full-time undergraduate IT programs or any related programs. 
    • Applicants with experience in community services, leadership, or academic mentoring backgrounds are given preference during the selection process.
    • Must have a 3.0 GPA in one semester.

    Deadline: Applications open yearly basis.

    Best Tech Scholarships for Graduate Programs

    Professional and fresh IT graduates require more advanced certifications or degrees to survive in the highly evolving field of computing. Also, graduate tech scholarships are difficult to avail of due to their strict requirements. Luckily, we have sorted the two best tech scholarships for graduates.

    4. (ISC)2 Graduate Cybersecurity Scholarship

    (ISC)2 is the cyber security and education center that assists graduates in attaining their future goals through their specially designed scholarships. The program is quite flexible and allows students to attend it internationally or in the USA, online, part-time, on-site, or full-time.

    Scholarship Award Fund: 20 scholarships of $5,000 to $1,000.

    Eligibility Prerequisites:

    • Scholarship funds must be used to cover the expense of tuition fees, books, and other study material. The amount will only disperse after candidates’ post-graduate enrollment confirmation.
    • Enrolled master’s or doctoral programs must have cybersecurity subjects.
    • Must have a CGPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0.

    Deadline: Applications open every year between Nov-Feb.

    5. AREMA Graduate Scholarships

    This scholarship program is specific to engineering graduates specializing in the railway industry. AREMA offers field-specific scholarships and an excellent opportunity for engineering students.

    Scholarship Award Fund: $10,000

    Eligibility Prerequisites:

    • Applicants must be enrolled in engineering/technology post-graduate programs.
    • Must have completed a five-year engineering degree or four-year accredited college degree in engineering.
    • Must have a GPA of 2.0
    • Applicants must be available for the interview by the AREMA scholarship committee.

    Deadline: Dec 8, 2022.

    Bonus Read

    Where to start your research?

    You can start your online research for tech scholarships on education portals like WooStudy – an AI-powered ed-tech platform.

    Once you registered, you will be notified of multiple scholarships as per your interest and academic background.

    Pro-Tips

    • Most scholarships require well-crafted essays and letters of recommendation, so broaden your knowledge of the latest tech trends and apply for letters of recommendation prior to avoid delays.
    • Only apply to scholarships that align with your interests and future goals.

    Author Bio:

    Maliha Safiullah is a Former Correspondent for 60 Minutes, Channel Nine Australia and is a published writer having worked as a Feature Writer for Dawn News, Pakistan.

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  • RiseBack – Affordable Edtech Platform Launches for African Students

    Indian American Social Entrepreneur Dr. Tausif Malik after successfully launching the EdTech platform RiseBack.org offering Affordable Colleges Degree to students in the USA, launches the platform for the African professionals & students.

    Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder of RiseBack
    Dr. Tausif Malik, Founder of RiseBack

    Important quotes to digest:

    “Education can propel the fast growing African countries into to high speed growth especially through startups & ITES sector”

    “African Students & Professionals can study from the comfort of their homes and upgrade their careers”

    “RiseBack is a small step in empowering the professionals to earn their future without Student Debt, this would make them more confident achieving their higher professional goals, leading to higher disposable income triggering economic activity”

    RiseBack is one of the first and only EdTech platform offering Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs and has partnered with leading Indian Universities to offer Affordable Colleges Degree to American Students and the African Students & Professionals.

    Students & professionals can study for Undergraduate & Graduate degrees at affordable fees and they don’t need to worry about the High cost of Education & Student debt. RiseBack wants to focus on offering affordable Undergraduate & Graduate degree programs to students, as academic degree programs paves the foundation for higher-paying jobs and education.

    The objective of RiseBack is to leverage globalization by connecting students with Indian Universities, so they achieve their personal and their family’s dream of going to college

    Indian universities are established under the University Grants Commission of India, hence degrees are accepted globally, hence students can pursue their professional and academic careers.

    Malik said that “RiseBack is a small step in empowering the students to earn their future without Student Debt, this would make them more confident achieving their higher professional goals, leading to higher disposable income triggering economic activity”.

    Africa is one of the fastest growing regions of the world with one of the highest youth populations and with recent various government initiatives the region is seen to be hub for the new economy such as startups, cryptos, blockchain, AI et al.

    According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2022 showed that the Foreign Direct Investment inflow into Africa grew to $83 billion, which was an increase of 1.1% compared to 2020 reflecting the massive potential of Africa’s startup ecosystem.

    Online education is gaining a traction post COVID-19 thanks to cheap mobile phones and hence, students and professionals can enrol through RiseBack.org platform to achieve their professional goals.

    Educated and well informed workforce will help in contributing towards faster economic growth of the African economy. 

    RiseBack benefits to students?

    1. Affordable Education

    2. Study from the comfort of home

    3. Work and Study

    4. Path to earn and achieve professional goals

    What is RiseBack?

    1.EduTech Platform connecting Students with Indian universities to earn their Undergraduate degree.

    2. RiseBack additionally service offers – Skill & Professional Training & Certification Programs * US Evaluation of Degrees assistance * Recruitment assistance * Internship assistance * Incubation & Acceleration services for Students Startups.

    RiseBack - Affordable Edtech Platform
    Photo credit: RiseBack

    How does RiseBack work?

    1. RiseBack is an EduTech platform, where students can review, choose and register for Undergraduate degree programs – B.A, B.Com, BBA, BCA & Masters (Graduate) degree programs MA, M.Com, MBA, MCA degree programs offered by Indian Universities.

    2. The Indian Universities directly deliver the lectures, assignments, and tests to the students.

    RiseBack offers value-added courses related to their Undergraduate & Graduate degree program or as per their career objectives.

    Indian Universities over the years created super successful alumni who are heads of Fortune 500 companies, Noble Laureates, Scientists, Academicians, IT Professionals, Serial Entrepreneurs & investors.

    Dr. Malik concludes that this would be the best partnership for the Africa and India and it would be a win-win situation.

    Students & professionals from across the globe can visit at RiseBack.org to know more about the degree programs.

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  • Teach For Nigeria Inducts Its 6th Cohort of Teaching Fellows

    Teach For Nigeria (TFN), a non-profit organization that is developing leaders to ensure that children in under-served communities can fulfil their potential regardless of their socio-economic background.

    This year, the Teach for Nigeria Fellows went through a five-week hybrid Training Institute which kicked off virtually on the 31st of July 2022.

    https://techeconomy.ng/2022/06/teach-for-nigeria-partners-with-dow-to-boost-stem-education-in-nigeria/

    A two-week residential training at Greensprings School, Lekki Campus, Lagos, followed running from 1st August – 16th August 2022.

    The Teach For Nigeria Fellowship is a leadership development program that equips Fellows with teaching and leadership skills to effect change in their classrooms and beyond.

    Every year, Teach For Nigeria recruits promising graduates, engages them through an intensive Pre-Service Training Institute, and then places them in under-served schools where they make a remarkable impact and contribute immensely to changing the trajectory of their learners.

    Dr. Peter Bankole
    Dr. Peter Bankole, Director,  Enterprise Development Center of the Pan Atlantic University

    The guest speaker at the event, Director,  Enterprise Development Center of the Pan Atlantic University Dr. Peter Bankole, reminded the Fellows that they were on a mission. “When you do what you do with your whole heart, and you can do it for free and you’re still happy, that is not work, that’s a mission,” he said. In addition, Dr. Peter stated that the Fellows were the agents of change who would drive the needed change in the educational sector.

    Blessing Adeyemi, one of the Fellows, delivered a valedictory speech on behalf of the Fellows. In her remarks she noted “We have not just been taught the art of teaching, but there’s been a transference of the heart of collective leadership to a shared vision.

    The Fellows were inducted formally into the Fellowship through a commitment pledge/oath led by Folawe Omikunle, the CEO of Teach For Nigeria.

    She encouraged Fellows to fully honour this promise that they have made to that one Nigerian child as they enter the classrooms.

    Present at the event was the Executive Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, who was represented by the Board Secretary, SUBEB, Mr. Wasiu Kuye.

    Folashade Adefisayo, the Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, represented by Dr Olufunke Oyetola, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS), Education District 3 was also in attendance.

    In her goodwill message, the The Honourable Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, Folashade Adefisayo, represented by Dr Olufunke Oyetola, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS), Education District 3 charged the Fellows to be change agents. “As you go out today, I want to encourage you to be good ambassadors, be an agent of change because education will take Nigeria to a greater level” She said.

    “You have come, you have seen and you have reconquered. Effecting change, requires time and lasting efforts. You are set for a new journey, new experience, in a new environment which will inform a major part of your decision in life now and beyond the fellowship”. This was the goodwill  message from the Executive Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, represented by the Board Secretary, SUBEB, Mr. Wasiu Kuye.

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  • SAS and UKZN Launch Teachers4DataAnalytics Programme

    Global analytics leader, SAS has partnered with three South African universities to launch the Teachers4DataAnalytics programme, a teacher training initiative that aims to reach hundreds of teachers and provide them with the knowledge and tools to inspire their students to pursue careers in data analytics.

    Teachers4DataAnalytics will also form part of a bigger SAS driven programme focused on secondary education and provide a bridge/feeder for the company’s successful Global Academic Program in partnership with local universities.

    Despite one-third of South African university graduates and almost 60% of learners who successfully complete grade 12 failing to find jobs and meaningful employment, a massive skills shortage in technical sectors persists.

    Teachers4DataAnalytics programme launch
    Teachers4DataAnalytics programme launch

    With economies digitalising rapidly, creating roles for entrants with data analytics and statistical skills, SAS became increasingly concerned that school learners locally are largely unaware of the existing and emerging potential vocations that can offer them exciting and gainful employment opportunities and future-proofed career paths.

    Andre Zitzke, Manager: Global Academic Programmes in Africa for SAS, says: “We are exceptionally proud of and excited about the Teachers4DataAnalytics program as this is the first program of this nature, scale and size focused on secondary schoolteachers and learners to be launched in a SAS operational region outside of the US. The aim is to empower teachers with the knowledge and tools to be better placed to reach more students, encourage their curiosity and provide them with exposure on practical applications behind the curricula in STEM subjects, so that learners become more informed on the careers available to them in the digital and data driven age.”

    The Teachers4DataAnalytics programme was conceptualised by Professor Delia North, former Dean and Head of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, for the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in South Africa. Professor North has been highly influential in statistics education in the country, having served as the Chair of the South African Statistical Association Education for 17-years and played a seminal role in defining the statistics content of the school curriculum since statistics was first introduced into the school curriculum in 2002.

    For the Teachers4DataAnalytics program, Professor North teamed up with Professor Christine Franklin, a world renowned expert and leader in teacher training, to optimise the uptake of statistical concepts at school level and produce a booklet that would guide teachers in their training to bring renewed insight into learning from data that is both modern, yet takes into account the complexities of teaching in a developing country with less than ideal infrastructure and access to laboratories for teaching.

    https://techeconomy.ng/2022/05/sas-cloud-revenues-grew-19-in-2021/

    SAS DataFly is the software of choice in this program, as innovative use of the versatile software will allow the teacher to use SAS DataFly despite constraints and realities of teaching in less affluent schools.

    Additionally, the program is defined as a scalable initiative that will be taken to other universities across the country – and later across the continent – to help connect schools, universities, industry and government in creating a talent pipeline for a digital future. The series of teacher training workshops that will be held at universities across the country will culminate in a SAS DataFly poster competition for teachers.

    The inaugural teacher workshop was held at UKZN on 13 August 2022, with more than 30 mathematics and science teachers from 26 schools around the province. Speakers on the day included Professor North, Professor Franklin and Miss Nombuso Zondo, a young lecturer in Statistics at UKZN, who profoundly presented the SAS Data Fly workshop.

    Following the success of this launch, the team behind the Teachers4DataAnalytics program will take the workshop format on a roadshow to the University of the North-West and the University of the Western Cape in the coming months before the year’s end.

    Professor North says school curricula require students to learn how to perform statistical calculations, but the time available to complete the year’s work limits learners’ ability to engage with the context of such calculations or their usefulness beyond school.

    “This ‘dry’ method of presenting the curriculum does little to encourage curiosity and passion about statistics, which plays a role in reducing the number of candidates entering technical undergraduate qualifications and, ultimately, the number of university graduates who can fill important roles in a modernising economy. The sustainability of the skills value chain depends on learners being aware of career opportunities before leaving secondary school.”

    In particular, she feels that any initiative that exposes learners to the enhancement of career opportunities in line with the needs of the modern workplace should be pursued with great focus. “Teachers are ‘change agents’ and can have a fundamental influence in this regard,” says Professor North.

    According to Zitzke, SAS’s historical roots in academia are part of the reason the company is so involved in connecting talent with industry. “It’s not enough to get involved at universities because we need to generate passion for STEM careers among learners so that they can make informed choices about what they want to study at tertiary level. We need teachers onboard to do this, because the passion will be created in the classroom,” he says.

    The Teachers4DataAnalytics program invites high school teachers to not only attend the workshop in which they will build further instructional capacity, but to participate in a competition where they will use SAS’s DataFly technology to bring statistics to life in a data exploration.

    “We have considered the South African context in which many school learners will not have access to computer laboratories or mobile devices. The free SAS DataFly visualisation tool can be run on the teacher’s single laptop and learners can record data written by hand on cards that can then be fed into the tool to build graphs and analytics in real time. When learners watch the data fly in and populate histograms or scatterplots, that is where the magic happens,” says North.

    “These projects will require learners to capture data from their everyday lives, such as their activities or emotional states through the course of a day, to connect data analysis with the real world. Seeing it in action, with the capability to add fun features like colour and emoji customisations, heightens engagement with calculations and demonstrates their usefulness in understanding the world around us. Each class will then create a poster showing how they’ve analysed the data,” North adds.

    “It is our genuine hope that exposure through such projects will captivate the curiosity of learners on the process and purpose of capturing data for analysis, while introducing the skills that learners will need once they reach the time for a professional career of their choice, whether that is business, academic or any other field,” says Zitzke.

    The coordinated Teacher Empowerment Workshops will leverage thought leaders from the South African Statistical Association Education Committee and the American Statistical Association to provide enriching learning material on SAS DataFly as the foundation technology, as well as additional material intended to stimulate discovery in the classroom.

    The Teachers4DataAnalytics program also aligns well with other SAS sponsored talent connection programs such as the annual Women in Analytics and Dudes in Data events, which aim to connect top school talent with SAS flagship universities. There are also a series of Grade 11 learner recruitment events that will serve as data exploration exercises at UKZN and UWC.

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  • TD Africa Partners Classera to Expand Access to Virtual Learning for Millions Across Nigeria

    TD Africa, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading distributor of tech, services and lifestyle products, has partnered with Classera, a globally renowned learning management platform to further expand access to virtual learning for millions of users across Nigeria.

    The recently signed partnership will see Classera leverage TD Africa’s growing database, network of resellers/partners as well as its considerable reach across Nigeria to grow adoption of its bouquet of e-learning solutions.

    Specifically, through TD Africa, Classera will gain access to and introduce a range of smart learning tools to clients in the education sector, including schools at every level. Also in line to benefit are large corporate organisations, as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) desirous of adopting a digital learning platform to provide training for their employees.

    Headquartered in the United States, Classera is driven by a mission to disrupt the education ecosystem, focusing on developing smart e-learning solutions that transform today’s traditional classrooms into a new educational journey for every learner and the coming generations. 

    At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic which disrupted learning across the world, Classera launched its Learning Never Stops solution to over five million classrooms in less than two weeks. By working day and night with Microsoft, Classera ensured a seamless transition to virtual classrooms at scale during one of the most critical periods in global history.

    Consequently, its strategic partnership with TD Africa, arguably the biggest distributor of Microsoft’s products and services in Nigeria and beyond, will undoubtedly expand the Classera footprint across the Sib-Saharan African market.

    This point was further espoused by Ekene Meniru, Head of Software Business, TD Africa: ‘‘We are extremely delighted to have partnered with Classera. This partnership will go a long way in boosting access to virtual learning for many more prospective users across Nigeria. Indeed, the power and relevance of e-learning cannot be understated, especially in view of current realities and in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

    ‘‘Today, a lot of educational institutions across all levels now rely more heavily on virtual learning formats to improve learning and teaching outcomes. Same goes for businesses which invest significantly in virtual learning to improve employee competencies via training, learning and development. Therefore, we are confident that this partnership with Classera will be of huge benefit to a wide category of potential users in Nigeria and beyond.

    ‘‘Equally pertinent to note is that we would be introducing Classera to our extensive database of partners. All training for partners who adopt Classera will be hosted on Azure, Microsoft’s Cloud platform, giving users reliable access to live and recorded educational content anytime anywhere. We are open to receiving all enquiries. These can be channelled to 09120483542 or emails,’’ he concluded.

    The partnership between TD Africa and Classera is expected to significantly raise the standard of virtual learning options available to users in Nigeria and the wider Sub-Saharan African region, while also tapping into the increased appetite for e-learning solutions in the education and corporate space.

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  • Nexford Raises $8 Million to Enhance Educational Affordability, Inclusion

    Nexford online University has raised $8 million in Series A funding to increase affordable and inclusive access to education.

    The fund will enable Nexford expand into new markets, accelerate its academic offerings and technology infrastructure, including the launch of several career pathway programs.

    The round was led by US-based edtech venture capitalists, New Markets Venture Partners and Learn Capital. Jason Palmer, General Partner at New Markets Venture Partners and Greg Mauro, Learn Capital’s Managing Partner will join Nexford’s board.

    Other investors who participated in the round include Learn’s Emerging Markets Fund anchored by International Finance Corporation (IFC), Bisk Ventures, Global Ventures, Future Africa, the U.K.-based investment firm AMK Investments and the Future of Learning Find.

    Nexford was launched by Fadl Al Tarzi in 2019 to bridge the educational gap involving high expenses, giving students the required and sustainable skills to succeed now and in the future.

    After application and admission into a required degree or course program, users can choose how fast or slow they want the program to be, they can study at their own pace. Nexford targets English-speaking countries with underserved citizens such as Nigeria. 

    The West African country is the only market where the U.S.-based edtech has learning community spaces that helps learners circumvent infrastructural problems like the internet and transportation. The company plans to launch such centres in markets like Kenya and the Philippines.

    Bachelor’s degrees in the online school include courses in business administration, AI and automation, business analytics and product management; business administration, advanced AI, e-commerce, hyperconnectivity, sustainability and world business courses. Nexford also plans to add software engineering, data science, clean energy, business analytics, digital marketing and project management within a short period.

    The startup will continue to invest in product and geographical expansion, as well as technology, increasing its efficiency without the need to increase tuition fees.

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