Fri, 19 Apr 2024
18:42:09
Connect to Learn:
18 Feb 2015
01:42:22
Empowering Girls in Sri Lanka: Ericsson, Mobitel, OUSL and COL unveils “Connect to Learn” initiative in Kandy
Feb. 18, 2015 (SLBO) - Following the recent launch of the “Connect to Learn” initiative in Colombo, Ericsson Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) unveiled the “Connect to Learn” initiative for the Kandy region on 17th February. To mark the ceremonial unveiling of the project, Professor Rajiva Wijesinha, Minister of Higher Education and P. G. Kumarasingha, Chairman Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd graced the occasion.
Connect to Learn is the global education initiative founded by the Earth Institute, Ericsson and Millennium Promise, which leverages ICT for a 21st century education in developing countries. The technology deployed at Open University of Sri Lanka in Kandy gives the teenage girl students and teacher’s access to 21st century educational tools and resources, and the ability to connect to other schools around the world to foster collaborative learning, cross-cultural understanding and global awareness. Bringing technology to the service of education is a common goal of Ericsson, Mobitel, OUSL and COL, and the role each one plays in the project is important to its success.
Ericsson is set to provide the ICT equipment required to implement the project, in addition to project management, systems integration and remote support capabilities. Mobitel, in its endeavor to accelerate growth of the female digital economy in Sri Lanka in line with GSMA connected women program, is providing the mobile connectivity required to facilitate the ‘Connect To Learn’ initiative.
Denis Brunetti, Head of Ericsson Sri Lanka, said: “Ericsson is proud to announce today that we have delivered on the commitment we made on 9th October 2014, in partnership with Mobitel, OUSL and COL, to launch the Connect to Learn initiative in early 2015, beginning with this inauguration event in Kandy. We are inspired by the way in which the farming community in Kandy has passionately embraced the opportunity to leverage the Connect to Learn initiative to provide a valued ICT education for their teenage girls. The Connect to Learn Sri Lanka initiative marks the first milestone of Ericsson’s ‘Technology for Good’ program in the country. We look forward to continuing this collaboration through the use of technology and the expertise of employees across all three organizations to make positive impacts in the communities we serve.”
Ranjith G. Rubasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel said, “I’m truly humbled to be a part of the Connect to Learn initiative in Kandy. As the pre-eminent National Mobile Service Provider, we at Mobitel are fully committed to bridge the digital divide in Sri Lanka to provide everyone an equal opportunity to experience and enjoy ICT. The Connect to Learn initiative is a testament to our contribution towards enriching the livelihood of the farming communities through power of ICT. We have always maintained a vision to uplift the living standards of rural communities and to enrich their livelihoods, and this initiative gives us the opportunity to do just that. We look forward to extending this initiative beyond Kandy to other regions across Sri Lanka in future so that larger communities are also able to benefit from it. I’m grateful to Ericsson, OUSL and COL for joining hands and partnering with Mobitel in successfully executing this valuable initiative.”
Connect to Learn is the global education initiative founded by the Earth Institute, Ericsson and Millennium Promise, which leverages ICT for a 21st century education in developing countries. The technology deployed at Open University of Sri Lanka in Kandy gives the teenage girl students and teacher’s access to 21st century educational tools and resources, and the ability to connect to other schools around the world to foster collaborative learning, cross-cultural understanding and global awareness. Bringing technology to the service of education is a common goal of Ericsson, Mobitel, OUSL and COL, and the role each one plays in the project is important to its success.
Ericsson is set to provide the ICT equipment required to implement the project, in addition to project management, systems integration and remote support capabilities. Mobitel, in its endeavor to accelerate growth of the female digital economy in Sri Lanka in line with GSMA connected women program, is providing the mobile connectivity required to facilitate the ‘Connect To Learn’ initiative.
Denis Brunetti, Head of Ericsson Sri Lanka, said: “Ericsson is proud to announce today that we have delivered on the commitment we made on 9th October 2014, in partnership with Mobitel, OUSL and COL, to launch the Connect to Learn initiative in early 2015, beginning with this inauguration event in Kandy. We are inspired by the way in which the farming community in Kandy has passionately embraced the opportunity to leverage the Connect to Learn initiative to provide a valued ICT education for their teenage girls. The Connect to Learn Sri Lanka initiative marks the first milestone of Ericsson’s ‘Technology for Good’ program in the country. We look forward to continuing this collaboration through the use of technology and the expertise of employees across all three organizations to make positive impacts in the communities we serve.”
Ranjith G. Rubasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Mobitel said, “I’m truly humbled to be a part of the Connect to Learn initiative in Kandy. As the pre-eminent National Mobile Service Provider, we at Mobitel are fully committed to bridge the digital divide in Sri Lanka to provide everyone an equal opportunity to experience and enjoy ICT. The Connect to Learn initiative is a testament to our contribution towards enriching the livelihood of the farming communities through power of ICT. We have always maintained a vision to uplift the living standards of rural communities and to enrich their livelihoods, and this initiative gives us the opportunity to do just that. We look forward to extending this initiative beyond Kandy to other regions across Sri Lanka in future so that larger communities are also able to benefit from it. I’m grateful to Ericsson, OUSL and COL for joining hands and partnering with Mobitel in successfully executing this valuable initiative.”
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