HP, African Union Partner for Distance Learning in 55 AU Countries During COVID-19

On the 30^th of April 2020, a meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology held virtually

At the event, HP and the African Union Commission (AUC) were both in attendance, and they agreed to collaborate, exchange information and expertise, and promote online platforms all in an attempt to increase digital learning opportunities for the youths in all 55 African Union Member State.

Elisabeth Moreno, Managing Director and Vice President of HP Africa proposed two online learning platforms; HP LIFE (HP’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurship) and BeOnline programme. These two platforms can be used by ministers of different countries to support schools and educators in their distance learning efforts.

“Education is a fundamental human right that should be available regardless of a person’s age, class, race, gender or location,” said Moreno. “To that end, HP has pledged to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025, as well as adding 1 million users to HP LIFE between 2016-25 – a commitment that aligns with the AU’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), which aims to change Africa’s education and training systems to meet the knowledge, competencies, skills, innovation and creativity required to nurture core values and promote sustainable development on a continental level.”

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The proceeds from these platforms will be contributed to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat’s 1 Million by 2021 initiative. The initiative by H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AU, will give opportunities to young Africans from the 55 member states in the areas of Education, Employment, Engagement and Entrepreneurship.

“The partnership with HP will accelerate our education response to Covid-19 especially and have long-term benefits. I implore AU Member States to make the most of these opportunities as this partnership means young people can access educational opportunities at no cost for the rest of this academic year. This partnership speaks directly to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat’s 1 Million by 2021 initiative by providing educational opportunities which will assist in positioning our youth to venture into the entrepreneurial sector,” Commissioner of the AUC Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, H.E Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor said.