Huawei and UNESCO Partner to Transform Education
Huawei and UNESCO have moved from planning to action, launching the implementation phase of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Phase II project. The goal is straightforward and practical: strengthen education systems in several countries by using technology where it genuinely improves teaching and learning. With Phase II now underway, the partnership is signaling a clear shift from pilot lessons to large?scale change across schools and classrooms.
A Vision for Digital Open Schools
Running from 2024 to 2027, Phase II aims to build and refine digital open school models in Egypt, Brazil, and Thailand. These models blend online and in?person learning so students and teachers can move between the two without friction. The emphasis is on flexibility and inclusion—using tools that work in real classrooms, support different learning needs, and keep teachers at the center of the experience.
Learning Environments for the Future
The approach isn’t one?size?fits?all. Each country will set priorities based on its schools, its teachers, and its students, so the framework fits local needs rather than the other way around. The announcement at the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Forum also revisited the first phase, sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what should scale next.
Leveraging Technology in Education
Phase I, which ran from 2020 to 2024, laid the foundation for this next stage. Work in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana delivered concrete outcomes—platforms built, teachers trained, resources delivered—and those lessons now guide the roll?out of Phase II. The throughline is simple: use technology to solve specific problems in teaching and learning, then grow what proves effective.
Insights from Distinguished Guests
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Egypt’s Minister of Education, underscored a shared commitment to using technology to unlock student potential. He expressed confidence in the project’s trajectory and its capacity to spark creativity, open doors for learners, and give educators the tools they need to do their best work.
Connectivity and Digital Training
The project aligns with Huawei’s digital inclusion program, TECH4ALL. Beyond connecting schools, the partnership focuses on upskilling teachers in core ICT competencies and curating high?quality digital learning resources. Strong networks matter; trained teachers and useful content make those networks worth having.
Building an Inclusive Learning Ecosystem
Joyce Liu, Director of the TECH4ALL Program Office at Huawei, emphasized a human?centered approach to digital transformation in education. The intent is to ensure equitable access to learning while tailoring tools and training to national priorities. In short: put people first, then fit the technology around them.
Expanding Inclusion Through Smart Schools
Plans in Brazil and Thailand highlight how inclusion and sustainability can show up in everyday school life. In Brazil, the project will establish five smart schools supported by two training centers dedicated to strengthening teachers’ ICT skills. This effort supports Brazil’s Connected Schools Strategy, encouraging interconnectivity and the sharing of resources so schools can learn from one another rather than work in isolation.
Fostering Well?Being in Thai Education
In Thailand, the work focuses on quality and reach: building ten smart schools and expanding the use of smart classrooms. Training programs will equip teachers with ICT knowledge so students can access modern tools and materials. The intent is simple—better-equipped teachers, better-supported learners.
Commitment to Teacher Training in Egypt
In Egypt, the Open School project will deepen teacher training, building on Phase I’s New Center for Distance Learning, which benefitted over 950,000 educators. That scale shows what consistent support can do. Phase II continues that momentum, with a focus on practical training that teachers can apply the very next day.
Achievements in Ethiopia and Ghana
Phase I also delivered notable gains in Ethiopia and Ghana, where thousands of students and educators received training and equipment. Ethiopia developed its first EdTech training manual to guide classroom practice, while Ghana improved national education platforms and supplied schools with essential ICT resources. The result: meaningful support for thousands of teachers and students, not just new tools.
About Huawei’s Initiative for Digital Inclusion
TECH4ALL is Huawei’s global program for digital inclusion and sustainability. Through partnerships and technology, it aims to narrow the digital divide so more people can participate—and thrive—in a digital world. The education work in Phase II is one way that vision turns into day?to?day change for teachers and learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of the Huawei–UNESCO project?
The partnership is delivering Technology-enabled Open Schools for All (Phase II), which helps countries create digital open school models. The focus is on practical tools, teacher training, and resources that make blended learning—online and in person—work smoothly in real classrooms.
Where and when will Phase II take place?
Phase II runs from 2024 to 2027 in Egypt, Brazil, and Thailand. Each country sets its own priorities within the shared framework so the work aligns with national needs.
How does the project support teachers?
Teachers receive ICT training and access to digital education resources, with support from dedicated training centers and distance learning infrastructure. In Egypt, for example, Phase I’s New Center for Distance Learning benefitted over 950,000 educators, and Phase II builds on that foundation.
What did Phase I achieve?
From 2020 to 2024, the project advanced work in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana. Achievements included training thousands of students and educators, developing Ethiopia’s first EdTech training manual, and improving platforms and ICT resources in Ghana.
What is TECH4ALL and how does it relate to this effort?
TECH4ALL is Huawei’s initiative for digital inclusion and sustainability. The program underpins this project by connecting schools, training teachers in ICT skills, and helping curate digital learning materials that match national priorities.
