Ericsson expands Connect to Learn initiative to 34 centres

Ericsson has expanded the Connect to Learn initiative to 34 centres, run by its partner Smile Foundation.

The centers make it possible for underprivileged youth to develop skills such as English proficiency and computer literacy through the Smile Twin E-learning Programme, with the objective of helping them find jobs in the retail and service sectors.

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee, Smile Foundation said, “Thanks to Ericsson, more than 70 percent of the educational material is now digital and the Connect to Learn initiative has made these training modules interactive and engaging, which promote student interest and participation.”

Ericsson assisted with the development of the new web-based training modules and donated computers to the centers. Furthermore, the teachers were trained how to use the tools and how to integrate them with traditional teaching methods. The students have been excited to learn more about the subjects and get instant feedback on their progress. As a result, the student attendance and retention have improved.

Helena Norrman, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations, Ericsson said, “The Connect to Learn initiative is an example of how public-private partnerships can facilitate socio-economic development. Our partnership with Smile Foundation helps young people develop new skills to support themselves and their families.”

Connect to Learn is a global education initiative launched in 2010. The purpose of the initiative is to increase access to quality education, especially for girls, through the integration of technology tools and digital learning resources in schools across the globe.

To date the initiative has been launched for more than 120,000 students in 25 countries.