EdTech set to transform education across Asia, says UNESCO

UNESCO reports that Education Technology (EdTech) is poised to revolutionise education across India, Indonesia, and Asia. As digital tools grow more intuitive and versatile, an education crisis also escalates, presenting a complex landscape for educators and learners. However, strategic use of technology can address key education issues, including access, relevance, and quality.

Appreciating this, Cambridge and HP have explored a collaborative solution and established the HP Cambridge Partnership for Education EdTech Fellowship. This initiative seeks to empower education leaders to navigate the EdTech marketplace strategically and holistically. Fellows of the program delve into creative applications of EdTech that confront the unique education challenges encountered by their societies, students, and teachers.

Launched in 2023, the fellowship has already conferred 40 leaders from 18 countries, preparing them with critical insights, evidence, and instruments to facilitate change within their respective education ecosystems. Applications from South and Southeast Asian leaders intending to join the fellowship are currently being accepted, and ten scholarships are being offered until the end of March.

The programme's momentum is already tangible, and its effects promise to echo through classrooms and online learning platforms alike. The inaugural cohorts from Sub-Saharan Africa and Gulf regions have spawned leaders pioneering changes that, over the next five years, will impact 200,000 teachers and almost 18 million students in Sub-Saharan Africa alone.

This commitment is underpinned by a devotion to evidence-based decision-making and user-focused design principles. The fellowship, delivered in a combined form over five months, encourages collaboration and knowledge exchange. The program explores approaches for engaging stakeholders and applying appropriate leadership styles reinforced by current research and trends.

Reflecting on his experience with the fellowship, Stanton Pillay, CEO at iTMaster in South Africa, noted that his approach to integrating technology into the country's education system has evolved significantly. He has leveraged his learning from the fellowship to enhance access to technology and skills for grade 12 students and teachers in rural areas, putting them at the core of his plans.

Also praising it is Dr Dalal Alabbasi, General Manager for E-Learning at Talemia in Saudi Arabia, who joined the fellowship last November. She noted that it has equipped her and her peers with vital knowledge and experiences to overcome obstacles and position themselves for future success despite the shared challenges they face across borders.

Jane Mann, Managing Director of Partnership for Education at Cambridge University Press and Assessment, said: "The community our fellows have created is something truly special. There is immense expertise and experience, but also trust and openness with this new network of peers united by driving change for a brighter future for learners worldwide."

Expressing anticipation of the talent emerging from South and Southeast Asia, Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP, added: "The fellowship helps individuals sharpen their vision and toolbox to use education technology impactfully and equitably."