Samsung Academy for Ekiti State

DEVELOPMENT

Samsung Electronics has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Ekiti State Government, Nigeria, to build a second Engineering Academy in Nigeria, following the first such project launched in Lagos in August. The new academy will open in early 2013.

Through the Engineering Academies, Samsung Electronics Africa supplies information technologies to help develop promising African students into IT experts and provide them with the support needed to secure employment or start their own businesses. The first of these pioneering academies was built in South Africa last year, followed by another in Kenya before the start of the project in Nigeria this year.

Executive Vice President Nam Seong-woo, who leads the IT Solutions Business at Samsung Electronics, met with Governor Kayode Fayemi and state officials from Ekiti at Samsung’s Suwon offices on September 10^th. Both parties discussed various cooperation approaches to help develop the education sector in Ekiti, including the opening of Engineering Academies and the adoption of educational IT solutions.

Last year, Samsung Electronics signed a contract committing the company to supply 100,000 units of the NC 215S, a solar-powered netbook, to an educational institute in Ekiti State. The netbook can be used for up to one hour when it is recharged for two hours using solar energy. Through the contract, Samsung is helping to lay a foundation for an improved IT and learning environment for Nigeria’s youth.

Along with the signing of the MOU, Samsung and Ekiti officials also held discussions on the 2013 Education Market Development project, an initiative aiming for the adoption of innovative technology products for the education sector. These include Samsung Smart PCs, debuted at IFA 2012; the 100N, a netbook PC specifically aimed at the education market in developing countries; as well as a number of additional educational applications and solutions.

During their visit to the Suwon business site, the Nigerian officials - including representatives from the health, finance, education, and science & technology departments of Ekiti - demonstrated particular interest in Samsung’s Smart School Solution concept, which Samsung is developing in tandem with educational institutes in Korea and around the world.

As part of the visit, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti visited Samsung Electronics’ Suwon business site and some of Korea’s educational and medical facilities, including the Samsung Delight Hall and the Samsung Medical Center. The governor noted: “The IT revolution currently being led by Samsung is extraordinary. I expect Africa’s youths to learn a great deal thanks to the active support provided by Samsung’s IT Solutions division.”

Executive Vice President Nam Seong-Woo added: “We will supply Samsung notebook PCs as well as independently-developed educational solutions as part of our continual efforts to help consumers in developing countries enjoy the benefits of cutting-edge information technologies.”