UAE-based global satellite operator Yahsat announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Integrated Technology Group (ITG), one of the world’s largest Education, Government Resource Planning, and Enterprise Resource Planning solution providers, to bring ITG’s leading e-learning platform to underserved communities in Africa, Middle East, Central and South West Asia. The announcement came during the first day of Yahsat’s attendance at AfricaCom 2018 – Africa’s largest telecommunications, media, and technology conference, and exhibition – in Cape Town, South Africa.
The agreement will see Yahsat utilize its business-focused satellite broadband service, YahClick Enterprise, to deliver ITG’s EduWave® the comprehensive eLearning & Education Management Platform that has digital learning tools and resources to schools and ministries of education across the markets served by YahClick, supported by the operator’s Service Partners. Using the Ka-band powered by High Throughput Satellite (HTS) spot beam technology, YahClick Enterprise will deliver the platform via a dependable, affordable, high-performance satellite broadband service.
The complete e-learning solution package, which includes both connectivity and platform, will comprise of three specific learning modules: Learning Management System (LMS), Student Information System (SIS), and Content Management and Authoring tools all seamlessly integrated in one solution, with a fully managed integrated user experience, thus, allowing related educational elements to work together in the most effective manner. The solution will help bring education into the heart of rural communities, enabling highly qualified educators to provide remote communities with quality education. The platform will allow students in rural areas to access and learn using the same resources as their peers in more developed regions, while teachers can access quality, up-to-date educational materials and swap best practice with their peers.
“Access to a high-quality education is vital to the progress of any community, and especially those in underprivileged and developing areas where life opportunities can be limited,” commented Farhad Khan, Chief Commercial Officer at Yahsat. “Yahsat’s work with ITG will empower more young people with an education, helping them to help themselves and their community overcome the challenges they face.”
Today, more than 57 million children remain out of school in developing nations, with more than half of them living in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 50 percent of out-of-school children in the primary school age range also live in conflict-ridden areas. One of the largest hurdles to education among these communities is a lack of physical infrastructure, and a shortage of quality educators even if the infrastructure does exist. The e-learning ecosystem EduWave® provided by ITG under YahClick Enterprise will help to bridge this infrastructure and knowledge gap, empowering communities to unlock their potential through education.
“Demand for e-learning platforms continues to grow across our footprint thanks to the quality and reliability of the connectivity provided by the likes of YahClick Enterprise,” commented Islam Al Qasrawi, Regional Sales Manager at ITG. “We’re pleased to partner with Yahsat to provide a service that will bring such lasting positive change to communities in Africa – and around the world that need it the most.”
Alongside the ITG MoU, Yahsat used its participation at AfricaCom 2018, where the company is a gold sponsor for a seventh consecutive year, to announce three new Service Partner agreements. The operator has formed partnerships with BCS in South Africa and Zinox in Nigeria, alongside International Service Partner Satspace.
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Integrated Technology Group (ITG) was founded in 1989, and it is one of the leading companies in the IT sector worldwide, marked by its high quality and scalable e-learning, government and enterprise resource planning solutions, and empowering individuals and society by helping institutions toward increasing their efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Yahsat provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose Ka-band satellite services including:
YahClick – offers broadband satellite solutions for home and business
Yahsat Government Solutions – offers managed solutions and government capacity
YahLink – offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking, and backhauling capacity
Yahlive – a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, offers premium services to broadcasters and a select choice of TV channels
Yahsat’s first satellite Al Yah 1 was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Al Yah 2 was successfully launched in April 2012. With its third satellite, Al Yah 3, launched on January 25th, 2018, the commercial Ka-band coverage has extended to an additional 20 markets reaching 60% of Africa’s population and over 95% of Brazil’s population, marking the company’s first entry into Brazil.