9 million. That’s the number of learners now engaged by UNICEF'S Learning Passport, a programme that’s transforming digital education, especially in areas with limited access to connectivity. Welotec is playing a crucial role in this mission, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education.
At Welotec, we’re incredibly proud to be part of this innovative programme. Over the past two years, our expertise in industrial communication and IoT solutions has played a critical role in developing the hub devices to deploy the Offline Learning Passport. Leveraging our Edge Gateways, we've created an offline server that contains content and user progress that allows the Learning Passport to operate autonomously—no internet connection required. With just a power supply and an access point, this system enables students to access a wealth of educational content, from videos and texts to interactive tasks and assessments, on any device with a browser.
Key Milestone
The results speak for themselves: as of June 2024, the Learning Passport expanded to 43 countries, with over 1.4 million new users and 3.6 million total course completions. This offline solution has been instrumental in delivering digital learning. UNICEF has launched large scale pilots over the past year in the Philippines, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Nigeria and continue to pilot the programme globally such as in Egypt, Sierra Leone, Brazil and more.
A Global Recognition and Local Partnership
The Learning Passport’s success has not gone unnoticed. The global recognition of the Learning Passport—honored by the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly—underscores the importance of this programme. It’s not just about providing access to education; it’s about ensuring that the content is culturally relevant, engaging, and effective. And that UNICEF is able to deliver that content to children and young people with or without connectivity. We’re particularly proud of the critical role we play in enhancing both the reach and quality of the program.
A memorable moment in our journey with UNICEF was hosting Mac Glovinsky, who visited Welotec last year to witness firsthand how our EG600 devices are manufactured and deployed to support this groundbreaking initiative.
Welotec at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024
At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024 (HSC2024), I had a chance to represent Welotec at a UNICEF Side Event. Hosted by Hapag-Lloyd AG, this event gathered global leaders and UNICEF representatives to discuss the role of digital education.
The Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC), held on October 7-8, 2024, brought together over 1600 participants from 102 countries, including leaders from politics, science, business, civil society, and international organizations, to tackle global sustainability challenges. With more than 60 sessions, the conference addressed issues ranging from sustainable hydrogen supply chains in shipping to equitable sourcing for battery production and a fairer international financial system. Aiming to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals, HSC was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the Michael Otto Foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. Set to become an annual event, the conference was inaugurated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher, and UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.
Highlights include:
- Panel Insights: As CTO of Welotec, I discussed the Learning Passport’s implementation in Egypt, emphasizing offline solutions as a tool for educational equity.
- Panelists & Leadership: Joined by Shiraz Chakera, Keren Asaba, Soumeya Mohamed Yeslemis, with opening remarks from Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, and Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF.
Moving Forward, Together
With every new learner reached, we take a step closer to reducing educational poverty worldwide. Through our collaboration with UNICEF, Welotec is contributing to a brighter, more inclusive future for students everywhere, regardless of their location or connectivity access. We remain committed to driving technological innovation that empowers communities, making quality education a reality for millions.
By joining forces with UNICEF, Welotec is not just powering devices—it’s powering futures, one learner at a time.
*Disclaimer: UNICEF does not endorse any brands, services or products.
