Stanford University and Ericsson Collaborate to Advance E-learning and Bridge Digital Divide in Africa

Faculty and students from Makerere University in Uganda are involved in the e-learnin program.

At the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in Geneva, Ericsson announced that it is collaborating with Stanford University to explore the innovative use of mobile technologies in distance e-learning.

Ericsson will work with Stanford University's International Outreach Program to bring distance learning to countries in Africa. The program offers students on different continents the opportunity to learn from researchers in environmental sciences from several countries and perspectives, as well as contribute to lively discourse and debate through Internet and mobile phone interaction.

As part of the program, Ericsson is providing smart phones fully equipped with video cameras, audio recorders, and Internet capability. Ericsson will also support the program by leveraging its relationships with mobile operators in Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa to help Stanford and others implement an environmental e-learning program. This program involves faculty and students from the University of the Western Cape in South African, Mweka College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania and Makerere University in Uganda.

The international mobile learning project, called Dunia Moja or "one world," utilizes a GPRS or 3G mobile connection and an Internet-enabled mobile handset from Sony Ericsson to allow students and faculty in remote locations to submit and access video, audio and text-based course materials, participate in online discussion forums, post blogs, produce multimedia content and otherwise interact as they learn.

"Ericsson is a leading enabler of broadband everywhere, which has a leveling effect on many social and economic rights, such as education, healthcare and professional development," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, president and CEO of Ericsson. "We are pleased to collaborate on this cutting edge pilot program that studies how mobile technology can be used to bridge the digital divide. Building out the wireless infrastructure and leveraging Internet -- and multimedia-enabled handsets for e-learning in Africa will help set the stage for future economic empowerment of the region."