While handing over the computers to the university, Tigo’s Acting Managing Director, Simon Karikari said that through its robust corporate responsibility policy, the telecom operator was committed to enable the youth and the wider communities to tap into the global mainstream of information and knowledge, where they will learn, expand their creativity and collaborate with peers across the world.
He further explained that through the donation, Tigo was supporting the Government of Tanzania in its vision to transform the country into a knowledge-based economy by the year 2025 and affirmed the company’s commitment to support the relevant ministry’s quest to transform education in the country through its inclusion into the digital space.
“Through our social investment portfolio, Tigo has been at the forefront in boosting the education sector in the country. We do not only work with higher learning institutions, but have also provided computers to and connected over 60 secondary schools to high-speed internet through our e-Schools Project. In addition to this, Tigo has also donated over 7,100 desks benefitting over 21,000 primary school pupils across the country”, Karikari said.
The chief guest at the function, the Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Hon. Prof. Joyce Ndalichako commended Tigo for the donation saying; “It is through such partnerships that we shall be able to impart modern ICT skills and knowledge to the coming generation of professionals, so that the country can meet the demands of the ever-changing information and digital trends in the society and global economy.”
“I commend Tigo for its readiness to engage in public and private sector partnerships to raise the education standards in Tanzania by working not only with higher learning institutions, but also for the support of primary and secondary school education in Tanzania. I welcome the participation of other stakeholders in the integration of technology in learning,” Prof. Ndalichako said.
The support follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Tigo and the University of Dodoma earlier this year, in which the company also committed to provide computers to the institution and to provide easy access to the company’s digital lifestyle products.