UAE organisation The Digital School is looking to collect 10,000 unwanted electronic devices to donate to underprivileged students.
The Digital School, an initiative of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), has launched the “DYOD: Donate Your Own Device“ campaign.
It hopes to collect the 10,000 used electronic devices from individual and institutional donors.
Digital School tech donation drive
As part of this educational, humanitarian, and environmental initiative, the collected devices will be refurbished and recycled to support underprivileged students worldwide, enhancing their access to education through digital means.
The initiative aligns with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, emphasising the importance of digital education applications and solutions for the future of the education sector.
By gathering devices from donors keen on supporting this cause, the campaign seeks to empower students of the Digital School by enabling their access to education, especially those facing difficulties in obtaining electronic devices.
The campaign embodies the commitment to offer educational opportunities to disadvantaged students, in line with the visions of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and the goals of The Digital School.
The campaign combines humanitarian and technological initiatives to serve those in need, reflecting the commitment of various entities to their social responsibility and their dedication to building a more cohesive and sustainable society.
The Digital School invites individuals and organisations to engage in the initiative by contributing either used electronic devices or financial donations through the official donation channels in partnership with the ERC. Donations can also be made via the campaign’s website or by sending an SMS to 2441 (for Etisalat users) and 3441 (for DU users).
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Digital School, said the “DYOD: Donate Your Own Device” campaign aligns with the UAE’s leadership directives by promoting human values and a spirit of generosity to create unique opportunities.
Al Olama emphasised the Digital School’s commitment to bridging the digital and knowledge gap among students globally by supplying electronic devices to those in need, thereby expanding learning opportunities and accessibility worldwide.
The minister said the significance of partnerships with various entities to support national and humanitarian objectives, while also addressing environmental sustainability and confronting the challenge of e-waste.
Notably, the world generates around 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually, equivalent to 800 laptops per second, making the campaign’s mission even more vital.
Hammoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, Acting Secretary-General of the ERC said The Digital School is making steady progress, driven by strong and stable foundations, to achieve its humanitarian and developmental goals in underserved communities.
By launching such campaigns, the school aims to attract more partners and supporters, further enhancing its efforts to establish a modern education system that caters to the needs of students in refugee camps and vulnerable societal groups.
Al Junaibi said the school has made remarkable strides in delivering educational services to these targeted segments, particularly in countries that have already benefited from its previous programmes.
This initiative contributes to forging innovative and sustainable solutions, aligning with the school’s digital aspirations and projects.
The campaign’s objective is to engage numerous institutions in contributing surplus and outdated computers and electronic devices to The Digital School.
The Digital School has already educated more than 60,000 students from eight countries, including:
- Jordan
- Egypt
- Iraq
- Mauritania
- Lebanon
- Colombia
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
Furthermore, The Digital School has successfully trained over 1,500 digital teachers, and it provides educational and training content in four languages:
- Arabic
- English
- French
- Spanish
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