SAMSUNG Electronics, market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, began the distribution of hi-tech personal computers to enrich computer literacy and enhance technological skills of children studying in public schools across 23 regions in Saudi Arabia. A ceremony was held in Al Kharj to this effect, in the presence of the Ministry of Education representatives, Takaful management, and Samsung Electronics officials, among others. Samsung Electronics and Takaful Charity Foundation had signed an MOU early May for the indigent students, where Samsung undertook to provide 2,500 hi-tech personal computers to 1,134 public schools for both boys and girls across 23 regions in the Kingdom. Research has shown that teaching using modern technologies makes learning more exciting, motivating to the learners and encourages collaboration and strengthens communication skills, an approach that the Saudi Ministry of Education has integrated in its system. KeeWon Park, General Manager, Samsung Electronics KSA, said: “We are extremely proud and grateful to be part of a national wide change agent to support the next generation in incorporating the up-to-date technology with their current education. Providing access to computers is not just a motivating factor to learn more, but to strive harder to gain technical skills that will best suit them in their higher education and future careers and contribution to the Saudi workforce and economy.” The new initiative with Takaful Charity Foundation is in line with the educational value enshrined in Samsung's CSV Program which supports and encourages economically disadvantaged students to acquire knowledge through the most up-to-date learning tools to eventually become successful in their chosen careers and become productive and responsible members of the society. Under the MOU, Takaful Charity Foundation will incorporate technology in the general education system and Samsung will assist by promoting the standard of education and developing the students' technological skills and expanding their perceptions by supplying them with personal computers and make use of their experience, knowledge and expertise in executing the work. Takaful Charity Foundation, which is in charge of the program's administrative management, determines and selects the schools and beneficiaries of the program among 10-year old students who are at least in Grade 5 level, in dire financial need, and showing interest in IT, among others. Takaful Charity Foundation serves more than 200,000 students in about 20,000 schools all over the Kingdom. Dr. Abdurrahman Al Abduljabbar, Director at the Department of Education in Al- Kharj, said: “We are delighted to be part of this this great project - our appreciation to Samsung Electronics for its initiatives and programs for supporting education systems, and as a global leader in technology, we are very optimistic of the innovation in education, where Samsung will serve as a role model for more initiatives to come to support the education process, encouraging other corporations to participate in.” “Our greatest appreciation to Takaful Charity Foundation for their continuous support and encouragement for our beloved students to attain an enhanced education for a brighter future,” he added. “We welcome the cooperation between various companies who are keen to support students at schools to provide them with the stability and continuation required to complete their education,” said Dr. Mohammed Al- Omran, General Director of Takaful Charity Foundation and supervisor of field work programs. “We at Takaful continuously seek to strengthen the bond of cooperation within our society to service and develop generations to come.” — SG
