Ericsson and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ericsson, Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) and Mobitel to deliver Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training to teenage girls from farming communities in Sri Lanka – through Connect To Learn, the global education initiative founded by the Earth Institute, Ericsson and Millennium Promise, which leverages ICT for a 21st Century education in developing countries. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa graced the event in support of the initiative.
The Connect to Learn Sri Lanka programme includes delivery of laptop computers, broadband internet access, online educational resources, and relevant training.
Ericsson is set to provide the ICT equipment required to implement the project, in addition to project management, systems integration and remote support capabilities. Mobitel, in its endeavour to accelerate growth of the female digital economy in Sri Lanka in line with GSMA connected women programme, is providing the mobile connectivity required to facilitate the ‘Connect To Learn’ initiative.
Further, the Open University of Sri Lanka, supported by Commonwealth of Learning, is responsible for providing teachers, learning facilities and content focusing on ICT training for teenage girls.
Denis Brunetti, Head of Ericsson Sri Lanka, said, “in recognition of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October, the Connect To Learn Sri Lanka initiative marks the first milestone of Ericsson’s ‘Technology for Good’ program in the country. We look forward to continuing this collaboration through the use of technology and the expertise of employees across all three organizations to make positive impacts in the communities we serve.”
Ranjith G. Rubasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel said, “Mobitel considers it a pleasure to join hands with Ericsson and Open University of Sri Lanka to begin this special initiative. We believe that our partnership will not only increase our commitment to enrich society through goodwill initiatives such as this, but it will also allow us to further strengthen our ties with Ericsson and Open Universality of Sri Lanka. Mobitel has always stood in the forefront in a quest to bridge the digital divide in Sri Lanka, and a programme of this nature is a testament to the contribution towards enriching the livelihood of the farming communities through technological advancements. We hope to extend this initiative to the rest of Sri Lanka in the near future so that larger communities could benefit from this programme.”
