Partnership will provide an innovative ‘off-grid’ power and connectivity solution to improve the quality of education in the Zaatari Refugee camp in Jordan
LUXEMBOURG/BERLIN -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
SES S.A. (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) and SOLARKIOSK AG, the energy and business gateway to Base-of-the-Pyramid (BoP) communities worldwide, announced today that they are pioneering the first-of-its-kind "Connected Solar School" to deliver electricity, educational tools, and broadband internet connectivity to an education centre run by UNICEF and Relief International within the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan.
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The "Connected Solar School" will utilise solar energy provided by SOLARKIOSK’s E-HUBB technology to deliver broadband connectivity enabled by SES’s Astra Connect broadband platform, which in turn enables teachers to use quality e-learning materials sponsored by UNICEF.
SOLARKIOSK’s E-HUBB, designed by the Berlin-based architecture firm GRAFT to provide reliable energy in off-grid areas worldwide, uses solar energy to power connectivity, lights, and computers within the schools. The E-HUBB interior will become the administrative centre for teachers and will have a power node to charge solar lamps, laptops, printers, mobile phones and tablets.
The Zaatari refugee camp is currently hosting more than 80,000 refugees, with about 25,000 children of school-going age. In addition to the nine formal school complexes in the camp, UNICEF supports Relief International in running three remedial education centres for children who need extra coaching. A fourth remedial education centre is under development. Currently more than 300 students are attending these remedial education centres.
Andreas Spiess, CEO of SOLARKIOSK, said, “Our partnership with SES in supporting UNICEF to utilise the SOLARKIOSK E-HUBB technology will make a significant difference to the quality of life for those who currently reside in the Zaatari camp. Education, connectivity and access to energy are basic rights and we are proud to help facilitate that in challenging environments. The aim of the ‘Connected Solar School’ project is to devise a successful model that can be further implemented to provide solar-powered public facilities and reliable broadband connectivity within underserved communities.”
“Millions of Syrian children have endured violence, cruelty and displacement. Schools provide children a sense of routine and normalcy in their lives, and help them continue their education. Only through learning can children reach their full potential and play a positive and active role in rebuilding their lives and country,” said the UNICEF Jordan Representative, Robert Jenkins. “The ‘Connected Solar School’ in Zaatari camp is an important case study for UNICEF to explore the viability of such solutions, for possible replication and expansion to other schools and learning centres for children.”
Gerhard Bethscheider, Managing Director of SES Techcom Services, said, “Being able to access online teaching material is a vital part of modern education for both teachers and pupils alike. Entering into a strategic partnership with SOLARKIOSK is a natural fit for our business. Not only do our satellites rely on solar energy to fly in space, they rely on solar energy on earth to deliver connectivity. Together we aim to improve the lives of the refugees in the Zaatari refugee camp.”
More information of the project can be found on www.ses.com/zaatari
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About SES
SES (NYSE Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of more than 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.
SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the satellite industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.
SES holds a participation in O3b Networks, a next generation satellite network combining the reach of satellite with the speed of fibre.
Further information available at: www.ses.com
About SES Techcom Services:
SES Techcom Services is a 100% owned affiliate of SES, the world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of over 50 geostationary satellites, providing integrated end-to-end satellite solutions and operational services tailored to customers’ needs worldwide. Services offered by SES Techcom Services, which is ISO 9001 certified, include the design and delivery of ground infrastructure and operational services, VSAT networks, broadband connectivity and turnkey teleport solutions. It also develops innovative solutions for e-government, e-health and e-education, as well as applications for worldwide emergency satellite communications. Further information under www.ses.com/techcom
About SOLARKIOSK
SOLARKIOSK enables and empowers the sustainable economic, social, and environmental development of Base-of-the-Pyramid (BoP) communities worldwide through the provision of clean energy services, quality products and sustainable solutions. Intertwining the award-winning SOLARKIOSK E-HUBB technology with an inclusive business model, SOLARKIOSK fosters local entrepreneurship at the BoP.
The E-HUBB was designed by the internationally renowned GRAFT architects who co-founded the company SOLARKIOSK AG together with CEO Andreas Spiess. It is a modular, robust, secure and lightweight unit that is expandable and easily transportable even to remote areas. The E-HUBB is tailored for the 1.5 billion people worldwide who don´t have reliable access to energy, including 60 million refugees and IDPs. By the end of 2016, more than 200 E-HUBBs will be operating in three continents.
SOLARKIOSK AG is based in Berlin, Germany. The company has established six affiliate companies in Sub-Saharan Africa and has implemented projects on three continents.
Solarkiosk Website: www.solarkiosk.eu
Contact Email: welcome@solarkiosk.eu
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facebook.com/solarkiosk
twitter.com/solarkiosk
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work in Jordan,
visit: www.unicef.org/Jordan ; facebook.com/unicefjordan
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CONTACT:
For further information please contact:
SES
Markus Payer
Corporate Communications
Tel: +352 710 725 500
Markus.Payer@ses.com
or
SOLARKIOSK
Andreas Spiess
CEO
Tel. No. +49 30 284 72 45 60
spiess@solarkiosk.eu
SES And SOLARKIOSK Bring Power and Internet to an Education Centre in a Jordanian Refugee Camp (Photo: Business Wire)
SES And SOLARKIOSK Bring Power and Internet to an Education Centre in a Jordanian Refugee Camp (Photo: Business Wire)
SES And SOLARKIOSK Bring Power and Internet to an Education Centre in a Jordanian Refugee Camp (Photo: Business Wire)
