Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire once said, āEducation does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.ā However, with recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic, education access globally has been disrupted, with over 616 million students affected by school closures, risking an escalation in learning poverty where 50%, or approximately 825 million children worldwide, could lack basic literacy and numeracy skills by 2030. This crisis extends beyond immediate learning loss, impacting the future employability and innovative capabilities of today's youth. At SAP, we know that empowering global learners to reach their highest potential by providing access to equitable education is the key to innovation and opportunity. We are proud to be part of the solution of the education and employment crisis, joining in the journey of so many learners as they look to use their education to make sustainable, positive impacts to change the world. Since 2022, SAP has been a proud partner of University of the People, the first nonprofit, tuition-free, American accredited, online university dedicated to global access to higher education. Established in 2009, the university provides virtual learning for more than 152,000 students worldwide, including over 18,000 refugees within its student population. University of the People serves students through the belief that higher education is a fundamental right for all. The virtual learning format of the university tackles the education crisis head on, providing education access for many students who donāt have a traditional brick-and-mortar University experience available due to various circumstances. Regardless of background, students are still able to complete their degrees, recognized by American accreditation standards. This sets up graduates for employment success and closes the education and employment gap for generations to come. In celebration of SAP TechEd, we are excited to announce that SAP will be supporting 10 new scholarships for refugee women from around the world who are pursuing associate degrees in computer science at University of the People. These scholarships reinforce SAPās commitment to University of the People and are a continuation of 10 scholarships awarded a year ago at SAP TechEd 2023. In addition to SAP TechEd, the company also broadly supports a full portfolio of scholarships in partnership with University of the People. While these scholarships continue to build on our previous efforts, it's the personal stories of the students who benefit from this support that highlight the power of equitable education in action. One University of the People student, Kesanet Kidane from Eritrea, shares that she was inspired to think and dream big after seeing others around her unable to receive higher education. āI am a refugee in the US who was born and grew up in Eritrea. I wanted to see a world beyond the Eritrean border. I crossed the border at night hoping to see the other side of the world; the opportunist one. After waiting two years for my process in Ethiopia, I came to America four years ago for better opportunities in life and education.ā After finishing high school, learning English, and living with her single mother and younger brother, Kesanet is eager to earn her degree in computer science while simultaneously working part-time. āAfter finishing at University of the People, I have a plan to get my masterās degree and get a job. Getting this scholarship is a path to fulfill my better education dream and a way to my better future.ā Another student, Maliha, was studying civil engineering at a university in Kabul, Afghanistan, when the Taliban took over the country. She shares her experience choosing University of the People to complete her education despite the challenges she faced during this difficult time. āI feared my dreams of earning a college degree had vanished forever. For the next six months, I hid in my home from the Taliban, not knowing what the future would bring.ā After receiving a call from a former classmate informing her of the University of the People scholarships offered to Afghan women, Maliha immediately applied to finish her studies with a bachelorās degree in computer science. āI was overjoyed that I could continue my education safely online from home. University of the People helped me to dream again about a better future and gave me the confidence to chase my dreams.ā Recently, Maliha was accepted to a graduate program at Carnegie Mellon University and awarded a full scholarship. After traveling to Pakistan and receiving a visa to come to the United States, she was able to arrive safely and is excited to continue her studies at Carnegie Mellon. Students like Kesanet and Maliha showcase how creating access to education for willing learners worldwide can be the first steppingstone to opportunity. Equipping students with the skills for tomorrow, especially while they are facing their own personal journeys of uprooting their lives for a better future, empowers confidence, inspires hope, and fuels innovation. SAP is proud to support University of the People in celebration of SAP TechEd 2024, and to remain ongoing partners in the educational journeys for the changemakers of tomorrow. Learn more about SAP and University of the Peopleās partnership, along with our other education focused initiatives at SAP.
... View more
