Dubai’s Digital School has launched the Donate Your Own Device campaign in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) to support underprivileged students worldwide. The initiative aims to collect 10,000 used electronic devices from individual and institutional donors, which will be refurbished and recycled to enhance students’ access to education through digital means.
Aligned with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the campaign emphasizes the importance of digital education applications and solutions for the future of the education sector. By gathering devices from donors, the campaign seeks to empower students of The Digital School, especially those facing difficulties in obtaining electronic devices.
To contribute to the initiative, individuals and organizations can donate used electronic devices or make financial donations through the official donation channels in partnership with the ERC. Donations can be made via the campaign’s website or by sending an SMS for Etisalat or 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, commended the campaign for promoting human values and generosity to create unique opportunities. He also highlighted the successful partnership between The Digital School, ERC, and Ecyclex in organizing the campaign, emphasizing the importance of partnerships to support national and humanitarian objectives while addressing environmental sustainability and e-waste challenges.
The campaign’s mission is particularly crucial as the world generates around 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually, equivalent to 800 laptops per second. By collecting used electronic devices and refurbishing them, The Digital School contributes to sustainability and recycling efforts.
Hammoud Abdullah Al Junaibi, Acting Secretary-General of the ERC, acknowledged The Digital School’s efforts in delivering educational services to targeted segments, especially in countries that have benefited from its previous programs. The launch of the campaign is also aligned with initiatives related to the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, as The Digital School collaborates with the community to provide learning tools by collecting used electronic devices and refurbishing them.
Participating organizations will be awarded Green Contribution Certificates in Sustainability and Recycling from Ecyclex and ReLoop.
The Digital School, launched by Sheikh Mohammed in November 2020, is the first fully integrated digital school. Its mission is to empower students with digital learning opportunities, particularly in regions lacking suitable educational conditions or resources. The school serves as a qualitative option for hybrid and remote learning, offering a smart and flexible approach to support underprivileged societal groups, refugees, and displaced individuals.
Expanding its reach, The Digital School has already educated over 60,000 students from eight countries, providing educational and training content in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. Additionally, the school has successfully trained over 1,500 digital teachers.
By launching the Donate Your Own Device campaign, Dubai’s Digital School and the Emirates Red Crescent aim to bridge the digital divide and ensure that underprivileged students worldwide have access to quality education through refurbished and recycled electronic devices. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s commitment to digital education and sustainability, creating a brighter future for students everywhere.
