Orange has teamed up with the National Distance Learning Center (CNED) to avail high quality educational content from the best international universities and training centers to leaners across Africa.
The educational content has been designed to be viewed on smartphones, given the devices affordability to students across the continent compared to computers. The online platform will enable students, teachers, and any other individual to acquire knowledge and skills in from the comfort of their home, while at the university, and just about anywhere they feel comfortable.
“Of all the digital revolutions, higher education and vocational training is one of the most strategic for Africa, as the benefits of digital technology can help train millions of managers which this continent needs to independently take charge of its development in the long term,” said Bruno Mettling, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa.
“This partnership with the CNED confirms the Orange Group’s commitment to this major ambition to provide everyone with access to education through digital services.”
Orange as a mobile service carrier has contributed its infrastructures and networks to facilitate the distribution of the content across the 19 countries in Africa where it is present. On its part, CNED, having a user base of more than 29,000 people internationally and a good reputation across the world, will avail its rich educational materials. CNED’s content has been horned over the years, with revision being done in line with the current industry changes.
The educational content will be distributed in eBook format in French language through the MondoCNED application. Users can download the eBooks, where they can read the content on any screen and even when offline. The Orange and CNED program is already live in Democratic Republic of Congo, and will soon be available in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’Ivoire.
Michel Revercho-Billot, the CEO of CNED said, “These new ways of learning on the move reflect the development of the digital ecosystem. This opportunity for easy, rapid, and widespread deployment is the first step of an ambitious strategic plan and a major driver of our development overseas. Educating, promoting career interests, encouraging, supporting, giving confidence, providing hope and cooperation.
There is no better summary for this partnership which is based on one of the CNED’s core values: social value. If a person reaches their education or training target, society as a whole benefits.”
Orange is also said to be working with other partners other than CNED to provide a wider educational content for the platform. Some of the partners expected to join the program include African universities, French-speaking universities, and the French online universities. The eBook downloads will be free.