Samsung Electronics East Africa has launched a Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS) at Mackay College and an E-Learning Centre at Nsangi Secondary School within the Kyengera region, Kampala as part of their investment in corporate citizenship on the continent.
The initiatives focus on the company’s focus on education and harnessing the company’s legacy of innovation to respond to the felt needs of people on the continent.
According to research done by the World Bank, only seven countries in Africa; Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa have electricity access rates exceeding 50 percent. The rest of the Sub Saharan region has an average grid access rate of just 25 percent, resulting in isolated communities with limited access to education and connectivity both of which are key to fast-tracking a nation’s development.
“At Samsung, we are keen to support societies and their communities in many different ways and these solutions will provide better knowledge transfer, learning and research opportunities both for learners and teachers alike, as well as equip them with the necessary employable skills for the future,” said Amos Mulago, Samsung Electronics Uganda, Country Manager said on Thursday.
An aerial view of the Solar Powered Internet School project at Mackay Memorial College
The solar powered internet school at Mackay College is built in a 12-metre repurposed container that can accommodate up to 24 pupils and is fitted with solar panels that power the equipment. It is additionally equipped with an interactive whiteboard, Samsung laptops, a printer, and fans to cool the container.
The Samsung E-Learning Centre on the other hand is an integrated platform with a monitoring and controlling feature which allows teachers to keep constant track of educational content on their learners’ screens. The screens includes screen-sharing feature, as well as real-time question and answer feature.
The commissioner for Secondary Education Mr. Benson Kule (3rd L) launches the E-Learning Centre at Nsangi Secondary School.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Education, Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago who officiated the event on behalf of the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon John Chrysestom Muyingo at Mackay College said; “The Samsung solutions provide a holistic approach aimed at fast-tracking educational development and ensuring that the youth can participate on a global scale by exposing them to today’s innovative technology.”
To date, Samsung Electronics Africa has rolled out SPIS and E-Learning centers solutions in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Gabon, Botswana, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa