Africa: Dell Commits U.S.$37 Million to Bridge ICT Divide

Johannesburg — DELL, the multinational computer technology company, has donated US$37 million to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) globally since 2014. This has given millions of children access to technology and resources needed to explore STEM fields. The United States-based firm is on track to donate an additional $14 million to STEM initiatives this fiscal year, reaching over 4 million underserved youth. "We believe that the future belongs to those who can build digital technologies and those who can use technology to solve the world's biggest challenges," said Karen Quintos, Dell chief customer officer. In Africa, Dell has launched 16 laboratories to bridge the digital divide. The facilities have been established in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa since 2014. The latest lab has been unveiled in Diepsloot in Soweto, South Africa. The Dell Learning Lab, an ambitious and successful project to bring digital technology wherever it is needed. Using the latest in technology efficiencies, a Learning Lab is home to a dozen computer workstations:networked to each other and to the Internet, and self-sustained through solar power. "I absolutely this solution," said Natasha Reuben, Head of Transformation at Dell EMC South Africa. She believes this is a fantastic way to not put pressure on a school or rural community in terms of electricity, as this solution is off the grid. "More importantly, this little container has the potential to do so much. Kids can go in during the day and learn. They can code and play with new technology. In the evening the community has access to it. They can use it to find jobs and research," Reuben said. - CAJ News

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