Transforming Education with the Cloud
Article 26 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establishes education as a human right. Yet education worldwide remains in crisis: six out of 10 children cannot read; 244 million children and youth are not attending school, and the number of young people in employment fell by 34 million in 2020 at a higher percentage rate than that for adults. In a world where education plays a vital role in reducing inequalities and fostering tolerance, we have to do better.
Technologies like the cloud can help education become more accessible, personal, and lifelong for everyone in ways that better prepare individuals to be active members of society and in the economy. Technology adoption in education is a fundamental driver of economic growth.
According to the UN, a global improvement in students’ collaborative problem-solving capacity to the average level of today’s top 10 scoring countries could add an additional $2.54 trillion in increased productivity to the global economy.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is on a mission to accelerate the digital transformation of education in partnership with the broader education community, including learners, educators, administrators, and researchers. Technology has the power to transform education.
The power to make education more accessible. Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is Canada’s largest college, offering advanced academic credentials combining deep theoretical learning with applied, hands-on experience. In the midst of the pandemic, Humber turned to an AWS Partner to deliver virtual learning applications, enabling 30,000 full-time students to fulfill their learning outcomes. Remote access gives students the flexibility to access course resources regardless of the device used when not on campus. The college is now strategically investing in digital infrastructure to foster innovation and collaboration in the Humber community and enable the best possible future for its students and communities.
The power to make education more personal. One of the largest online teaching and learning platforms in Brazil, Sala do Saber, can reach 300 thousand students during peak usage. What started as an experiment to reinforce learning, Sala do Saber is now the first 100% online distance learning platform in Brazil, covering the final years of elementary education through higher education. Not only has the cloud allowed Sala do Saber to expand its reach, it has also allowed it to use new technologies that help students tailor their study plans based on the time they have available.
The power to make education lifelong. One way we’re addressing the digital skills gap is through AWS re/Start. Launched in 2020, AWS re/Start is a complimentary-to-the-learner, cohort-based workforce development training program that helps individuals build cloud computing skills and connects participants with employment opportunities at local employers. It is part of Amazon’s commitment to provide no-cost cloud computing skills to 29 million people globally by 2025. The program currently operates in more than 180 cities across more than 60 countries.
I am honored to work at a company that can help us transform education, providing opportunities for the builders of today and tomorrow. #EducationDay