Vodafone Qatar and Huawei joined hands to mark the first ‘International Day to Protect Education from Attack’, donating 1000 units of Mi-Fi powered by Vodafone GigaNet network, to help pupils of the local Assalam schools with their education.
The devices will give the financially disadvantaged pupils the ability to access online educational resources and ensure they can continue their schoolwork even outside the classroom.
The United Nations (UN) proclaimed 9 September as the ‘International Day to Protect Education from Attack’, responding to the successful resolution called for by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and an Advocate of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The UN also called on its member states, the private sector and civil society to observe and support the international day.
Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Al Thani, said the international day reaffirms the importance of doing more to uphold the right to access education and enable secure learning environments for all. He said that in keeping with this intent, and the ‘Inclusion for All’ pillar of their mission, Vodafone affirms its commitment to contribute to the efforts of EAA.
Combining our efforts with those of Huawei ensures that the very latest in tech resources reach the Assalam pupils to assure them of quality educational opportunities.
According to Huawei’s Gulf North CEO Zhaoliang, technology has a significant role to play in keeping students connected, and Huawei is keen to ensure that educational institutions have strong connectivity solutions, while students have the means to study online.
He said that through their partnership with Vodafone Qatar, they contribute to enabling a better learning environment for students impacted by conflict and disruptions in this part of the globe.
Fahad Al-Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of EAA extended his appreciation to Vodafone Qatar and Huawei on behalf of EAA for connecting students with technology that will help them aspire to a better future through education. He said that even beyond the present disruptions caused by COVID-19, the International Day is a timely reminder of the ongoing need to increase and extend educational support to vulnerable learners, to be able to fully realise their right to education.
The two Assalam Schools were established in 2019 through partnership between EAA, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, to ensure that all out-of-school and at-risk children in Qatar have equitable access to quality education. They provide financial support and capacity building as well as facilitate the establishment of alternative education institutions.
Working in collaboration with the Pakistan Welfare Forum and the Palestinian School Management, the First and Second Assalam Schools provide education to English-speaking and Arabic-speaking students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In June, Vodafone Qatar announced a new partnership with EAA to support the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide quality and relevant access to education for out-of-school children and youth through their Together ‘Sawiyan’ programme.
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