The International Publishers Association (IPA) says it has received positive responses to its call for proposals to tackle remote education challenges in Africa.
Development Diaries learnt that a total of 311 pitches were received from 26 countries, with applicants ranging from development and education non-governmental organisations to universities and tech companies.
It is understood that a committee tied to the Africa Publishing Innovation Fund (APIF), comprising publishing executives from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa, under the leadership of IPA Vice-President, Bodour Al Qasimi, is in charge of the vetting of the applications.
It was also learnt that the committee will put the best ideas through to a second round, where the applicants will be required to fill a detailed application form and budget forecast.
Then in autumn, the APIF committee will whittle down the applications and ultimately decide which projects to support, and the size of their grants.
‘The response this year has been far beyond anyone’s expectations, thanks partly to a streamlined online application process and communications push’, Al Qasimi said.
‘But the level of interest and the range of ideas coming in is further proof that Africa is bursting with an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas.
‘With the APIF’s support, some of these ideas will become a reality and have a lasting positive impact on education where it is needed’.
The decision to incentivise learning innovations to help African students pursue their education followed the confinement measures imposed worldwide in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around 190 countries have had to close schools and universities, affecting more than 1.5 billion school-aged children.
Source: Modern Ghana
Photo source: Leaderlab – Driving Transformational Change
