MIT Solve

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Our Solution

Pocket University Mobile Application

Our solution's stage of development:

Pre-Seed

Our solution:

This is an application that allows access to short term university courses that can be accessed using a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) .This will entail partnership

between universities,colleges and tech companies to implement the solution .

Our pitch:

In most developing countries,especially in the sub-saharan africa,universal access to education is limited.A significant percentage of the populace does not have access to this basic human right.The majority of the affected are the youth,who form a bulk of the socioeconomic engine in those countries.Access to education has been hampered by lack of adequate infrastructure and the high costs of education which are not affordable by the majority."Pocket University app" will be a mobile application that will enable people from low income societies to access education and training though affordable short-term courses.Considering the recent increased mobile phone usage among the youth especially in developing countries,the "Pocket University app" will be a golden opportunity for the youth to have access to quality but affordable tertiary education.The application will be available on both the Android and the IOS platform for free .Once downloaded,the user will be able to apply for a short term university course that will be accesible on the mobile device anywhere with internet connection.This will mean that the universities providing the courses will partner with the tech companies and local educational authorities to ensure that quality training will be provided.The courses will range from language courses,training against extremism,IT,enviromental studies,sustainable agriculture amongst others.The main aim of the Pocket University mobile application will be to equip the youth in the identified countries with skills to be productive members of the society.

The problem:

This initiative seeks to solve the problem of inadequate education opportunities in developing countries.The application will target the youth who can't cannot afford the expensive tertiary education in those countries and provide them with an opportunity to acquire quality education using their mobile devices.This will also promote mobile usage among the youth and thus enhancing their Information technology skills.The courses will range from vocational training to short term university courses with flexible timetables.The targeted youth population will benefit much from the initiative since they will be equipped with important skills needed to be productive members of the society.

Why our solution will solve the problem:

The low education rates in developing countries have been promoted by unequal educational opportunities.Many educational institutions lack adequate personnel and infrastructure.There is also a huge disparity on education access between rural and urban areas.According to a report by the Northern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Quality Education(SACMEQ) ,there is a huge imbalance between educational opportunities for children from different parts of the same country.To tilt this balance,there is need to provide access to education to all.Short term vocational training can also help the young people in those regions to be positive agents of change.

Who recommended you to Solve - or - how did you find Solve?

I found the solve challenge in the youthop.com website.

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