The Egyptian Ministry of Education officially launched the National Distance Learning Center for the Continuous Professional Development of Educators on Wednesday, October 25th, at the UNESCO-Huawei International Forum on Digital Platforms and Competencies for Teachers. This center was established as part of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All project, a collaborative effort between UNESCO, Huawei, and the ministries of education in Egypt, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
During the forum, Dr. Reda Hegazy, the Minister of Education and Technical Education, expressed his gratitude to UNESCO and Huawei for their support and partnership in implementing the Open Schools project in Egypt. He highlighted the achievements of the project in building capacity, providing enriching educational courses for teachers, and establishing the National Center for Distance Education. This initiative has significantly enhanced the skills of Egyptian educators and contributed to the improvement of the education sector in the country.
The Technology-enabled Open Schools for All project aims to pilot and test digital educational platforms in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana. In Egypt alone, 300 teachers have been trained in digital skills, and the new educational center will expand opportunities for distance learning and digital literacy for 950,000 educators in underserved communities.
Sobhi Tawil, the Director of the Future of Education and Innovation team at UNESCO, commended the collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Education and emphasized the importance of the forum in promoting new perspectives in education. He noted that the project aligns with Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, which focuses on digital inclusion and sustainability.
The forum also addressed the need for building digital education capacities at the national level to ensure continuity in education during normal and crisis situations. By combining online and offline methods, the project aims to achieve maximum educational outcomes and mitigate disruptions in learning, especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Huawei’s involvement in the project is part of its commitment to promoting digital inclusion through TECH4ALL. The educational section of the initiative aims to develop technological solutions that support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Overall, the two-day forum not only marked the inauguration of the educational center and the TeOSS project but also facilitated the sharing of best practices in digital education, resource sharing at the international level, and collaboration among stakeholders in the field. With ministers, government officials, UNESCO and Huawei representatives, project partners, and international experts in attendance, the forum served as a platform for advancing digital education initiatives in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana.
TECH4ALL is a long-term initiative and action plan by Huawei to promote digital inclusion through innovative technologies and partnerships. By supporting integration and sustainability in the digital world, TECH4ALL aims to create a more inclusive and sustainable digital society.
For more information on Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, visit their website at https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all. Stay updated by following them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.
In conclusion, the launch of the National Distance Learning Center and the discussions at the UNESCO-Huawei International Forum highlight the importance of digital education in enhancing the skills and capabilities of educators. These initiatives not only contribute to the development of the education sector but also pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.