SMART Technologies partners with N50 Project to bridge global digital divide in education

SMART Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with the N50 Project, a global initiative working to provide digital access to the three billion people worldwide who currently lack reliable internet connectivity and essential digital tools. 

The team-up will focus on bridging the digital divide in education by equipping underserved communities with technology that supports teaching and learning.

The global digital divide has resulted in nearly 800 million children and young people across the globe lacking home internet access, while 2.7 million schools cannot offer online services.

 The partnership between SMART Technologies and N50 is designed to help address these inequities through the EdTech Equity Initiative.

The initiative focuses on delivering three key areas of support:

1. Technology Access and Connectivity
   The partnership aims to bring connectivity and digital tools to communities with limited resources. A goal of the partnership is to provide immediate solutions and ensure these initiatives are sustainable and capable of delivering long-term benefits.

2. Knowledge Transfer and Implementation
   The collaboration will offer school leaders and community members the skills and resources necessary to effectively integrate digital technology into their classrooms and broader educational systems. This support will include training, tools, and frameworks to ensure digital strategies are implemented successfully.

3. Scalable Frameworks for Broader Impact
   The initiative will develop actionable frameworks that can be replicated and scaled across different regions. This approach is intended to ensure that once a community successfully adopts digital education tools, others can follow suit, amplifying the impact across multiple locations.

Bridging the educational divide

Jeff Lowe, Executive Vice President at SMART Technologies, emphasised the importance of providing digital access for all students:

“"For 35 years we've seen how the right technology helps teachers change the lives of students, helping them to become all they can be. It's not acceptable that nearly half the world's children are denied this opportunity.

“This has to change, and we believe the N50 partners are uniquely positioned to address the complex issues underlying this inequity. We are honored to work alongside N50 and their partners to enable more schools and systems with equitable, connected access for students."

The N50 Project, with its global network of over 220 partners, including major organisations such as Intel, AWS, Dell Technologies, and T-Mobile, focuses on providing digital solutions to marginalised communities. By integrating resources from these industry leaders, the partnership seeks to overcome barriers to education in some of the world’s most remote and underserved areas.

Daniel Gutwein, founder of the N50 Project, spoke on the impact of the partnership, stating:

"Partnering with SMART Technologies to power the Education Equity Initiative signifies a significant step forward in our work to enhance educational opportunities on a global scale. By combining our expertise and resources, we are committed to bridging the digital divide and empowering educators and students with technology."