Leading technology distributor, Hewlett Packard, has restated its determination to empower local communities with necessary Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) tools capable of uplifting their lifestyles.
Mr. Ime Umo, managing director, HP, said that e-learning is one of the veritable tools to use in achieving this lofty goal. "One of our goals in communities where we work is to recognize the business value of diversity and to build digital connections to address the gaps in the availability and use of technology," he said.
Speaking at the just concluded e-Learning Forum attended by prominent ICT firms across the globe at Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana, he described HP’s efforts in achieving this unique goal as ‘e-inclusion’, noting that e-inclusion is not just about technology but about people, relationships and personal commitment.
"As we continue to invest across Africa, the need for e-inclusion continually resonates. When can we say we have empowered a people to participate in society by sharing the benefits of information and skills transfer? How do we get to the point where a community is engaging HP and leveraging fully on technology that can change lives?
"As the largest IT company in the world, we come with the experience of disseminating information to a diverse group of people over wide geographical locations. From our immense customer base, we also understand that ‘one size does not fit all’. So we believe our task is straightforward, find the local need and match it to an IT solution from our portfolio. The real challenge is to provide innovative content that will challenge and create enthusiasm in individuals to leverage the opportunities we provide and impact their lives. Not just their lives – the lives of their families and their communities", he said.
In taking ICT to Kindergatten level (K12), Umoh, represented by Mr. Chuks Okpaka, Enterprise Server and Storage (ESS) manager said HP had worked first with Intel and the Nigerian government on the Teacher-Assisted Purchase Plan (TAPP). According to him, 5,000 notebooks were given to teachers who were trained on Intel-provided portal and curriculum. Also, 30-pc classrooms for students to learn using this updated content were provided. "Within three months, in comparison with classes without access to technology, the difference was significant, it was easier for students to grasp concepts, and retention of studies was also significantly improved in these classes. For the teachers, access to these tools made teaching a much more fulfilling and rewarding experience", he added.
Listing HP’s contributions to e-learning initiatives, he said HP had just concluded the Nepad implementation project with three secondary schools across Nigeria, noting that this year; HP will develop curriculum and additional learning portals, to see technology changing the lives of children.
While stressing the essence of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies, he noted that they are predominantly unstructured and according to statistics, about eight out of ten small businesses fail within five years.
"Our MicroEnterprise Accelerated Program (MAP) seeks to address this ‘statistic’. With MAP, we set up digital classrooms and offer curriculum to SMBs in PC appreciation basic business skills development – basic accounting, business planning, presentation skills that will give them confidence to approach formal funding institutions for their business, etc. The beauty of the MAP is the introduction of courses directly related to ‘handiwork’ – for instance, in running a curriculum targeted at a farming community, the curriculum is looking to integrated curriculum on modernized farming technology giving more incentive to the local community to engage", he noted.
Umo stated that HP is in collaboration with tertiary institutions to teach specific entrepreneurship curriculum to students who want to open their own businesses. "Because there is a great need here, we are also in close collaboration with the Nigerian Government through the SME bureau Smedan and an NGO – Shehu Ciroma Foundation".
In all of these, he said HP has partnered with like-minded organizations and government bodies because it understands that partnerships will give them the breadth required to make this a continuing successful outing.