HP says it has agreed to join efforts with the African Union Commission (AUC) to expand digital learning opportunities for all youths in 55 AU member States.
The Managing Director and Vice President of HP, Africa, Elisabeth Moreno, made this known on Monday in a statement.
According to Moreno, HP and AUC have agreed to collaborate on various initiatives, including an exchange of information and expertise, as well as the promotion of online platforms to support digital learning.
She said that Africa has the youngest population in the world with more than 400 million young people aged between 15 and 35 years.
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Moreno said that almost all countries across the continent had introduced some forms of nation-wide schools and universities closures to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The managing director said this meant that there were very large numbers of children and young people who were not receiving any form of schooling.
Moreno said the company would be providing HP’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurship (HP LIFE) and BeOnline programmes.
According to her, the two unique online learning platforms could be utilised by Ministers to support schools and educators in their distance learning endeavours.
“The initiative seeks to provide opportunities for young Africans from the 55 member states in the areas of Education, Employment, Engagement and Entrepreneurship (the 4Es).
“It is against this backdrop that the AUC and HP are prioritising digital learning opportunities for African youths.
“Education is a fundamental human right that should be made available, regardless of a person’s age, class, race, gender or location.
“To that end, HP has pledged to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025, as well as adding one million users to HP LIFE from 2016 to 2025,” Moreno said.
She said this was a commitment that aligned with the AUC’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) which aimed to change Africa’s education and training systems to meet the knowledge, competencies, skills, innovation and creativity.
Moreno said that currently, technology could support new styles of learning.
“PCs and tools designed for education can offer students the flexibility of time, place and pace of learning, whether in or out of the classroom or in a blend of environments.
“HP and AUC joint efforts have the potential to uplift access to education and opportunities for career work and economic growth.
“The collaboration aims at promoting innovations that hold the best potential to make lifelong learning a reality.
“The partnership with HP will accelerate our education response to COVID-19, especially and have long-term benefits.
“I implore AUC member states to make use of the most opportunities as this partnership means young people can access educational opportunities at no cost for the rest of this academic year,” the managing director said.
Also, Prof. Sarah Agbor, the AUC Commissioner, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology H.E, said that the partnership spoke directly to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat’s one million by 2021 initiative.
Agbor said this is by providing educational opportunities which would assist in positioning youths to venture into the entrepreneurial sector.
NAN reports that BeOnline is a programme that was developed by HP in partnership with Classera, the leader in Learning Management Systems and Mirai, a learning innovations group focussing on learning strategy and digital tutelage.
It is to assist the endeavours of the education community.
In line with the most recent regional governments’ directives for distance learning, the programme aimed at supporting schools and universities in establishing a full-fledged virtual learning environment by providing expertise and tools at no cost.
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