Overview-UNESCO-ICHEI

Smart Classroom Project (SCR)

The Smart Classroom Project focuses on improving infrastructure for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing countries in Asia and Africa to support digital learning and accelerate the digital transformation of higher education by collaborating with educational technology enterprises.

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Background

In the current era where technology is evolving and deeply integrated into the learning environment, the digital transformation of higher education in the global south requires a team of professionals with digital and AI competencies, support for sustainable development, as well as an enhanced capacity for teaching and learning infrastructure. With the rapid development of digital and AI technologies, the global higher education industry needs to invest in enhancing the capabilities of these infrastructures, equipping advanced multimedia teaching equipment, intelligent recording and broadcasting systems, or renovating or upgrading technologies accordingly. The upgrades need to be well planned, fitting the actual conditions of Asian and African universities to form a comprehensive solution. This will enable universities to play a leading role and demonstrate an exemplary effect in the wave of digital transformation. The Smart Classroom Project, one of the flagship programmes of UNESCO-ICHEI, aims to build a channel for educational technologies to donate one model smart classroom to higher education institutions, to facilitate the upgrade of the learning environment for digital and smart transformation of higher education.

Corporate Donors of Smart Classrooms

WEDON Education
Createview Edu-Tech
Shizhen (HK) Ltd
OS-Easy Ltd
WenTech
Dazzleview Ltd

Timeline

2017

On March 29

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a contract with Weidong Cloud Education Group to establish a plan for the implementation of Smart Classroom in Asian and African countries

2018

On May 21

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a contract with Guangzhou CreateView Education Technology Co., Ltd. to establish a plan for the implementation of Smart Classroom in Asian and African countries

2019

On July 10

The Smart Classroom was launched at University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (Pakistan)

2020

On January 10

The Smart Classroom was launched at Ain Shams University (Egypt)
On January 26

The Smart Classroom was launched at the University of Djibouti (Djibouti)
On February 10

The Smart Classroom was launched at Royal University of Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
On December 13

UNESCO-ICHEI signed the phase II smart classroom agreement with Weidong Cloud Education Group (now Weidong Education)

2021

On September 3

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a smart classroom cooperation agreement with Guangzhou Shirui Electronics Co., Ltd. (currently using overseas brand MAXHUB)
On December 9

The Smart Classroom was launched at Mongolian University of Science and Technology (Mongolia)

2022

On February 17

The Smart Classroom was launched at University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)
On April 22

UNESCO-ICHEI signed the phase II smart classroom cooperation agreement with Guangzhou CreateView Education Technology Co., Ltd
On April 25

The Smart Classroom was launched at University of Nairobi (Kenya)
On May 9

UNESCO-ICHEI signed the phase II smart classroom cooperation agreement with Guangzhou Shirui Electronics Co., Ltd. (currently using overseas brand MAXHUB)
On August 1

The Smart Classroom was launched at the University of The Gambia (Gambia)
On August 26

The Smart Classroom was launched at Ahmadu Bello University (Nigeria)
On September 9

The Smart Classroom was launched at Makerere University (Uganda)
On October 3

The Smart Classroom was launched at Bandung Institute of Technology (Indonesia)
In December

The Smart Classroom was launched at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)

2023

On April 8

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a smart classroom cooperation agreement with OS-Group holding ltd
On November 23

The Smart Classroom was launched at Kyrgyz National University (Kyrgyzstan)
On December 8

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a smart classroom cooperation agreement with WenTech

2024

On April 2

The Smart Classroom was launched at Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia)
On October 1

The Smart Classroom was launched at Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
On October 16

UNESCO-ICHEI signed a smart classroom cooperation agreement with Dazzleview

Project Components

The smart classroom is supported by technologies such as big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence. Its aim is to provide a human-centric and smart, interactive space for learning activities, emphasising student agency, and conducting discussion-based, inspiring, and participatory teaching and learning approaches. It mainly relies on an integrated teaching interaction platform for software support, and constructs a multi-interaction smart teaching model. It connects all classrooms and integrates online and offline elements to form a "multi-room interconnected" digital teaching environment. The equipment and facilities of the smart classroom include touch-screen intelligent interactive all-in-one machines, display terminals (such as tablets, all-in-one device, cloud desktops/cloud computers, or portable laptops and other mobile devices), servers, uninterruptible power supplies(UPS), classroom recording and broadcasting systems, audio amplification systems, network switches and related accessories, etc.

Stakeholders

Partner HEIs: Project Implementation and Independent Operation

Construct the indoor venues for SCR based on specified requirements, including necessary classroomfacilities, such as tables, chairs, lighting, podiums, circuits, internet connectivity, among others. Complete customs clearance for all SCR equipment and transport them from the customs border to the campus; assist UNESCO-ICHEI and partner enterprises while installing SCR equipment, and organise relevant personnel to participate in operation training. Independently use and maintain SCR and collaborate with UNESCO-ICHEI on monitoring and evaluating the SCR usage; share related M E data with UNESCO-ICHEI for further research and impact evaluation.

Partner Enterprises: Philanthropic Support and Capacity Building

Guide the construction of SCR venue at partner HEIs to meet the basic requirements for operating a smart classroom. Provide equipment, operation manuals, and training materials for SCR, and ship all equipment to the customs border of partner HEIs. Support installation and configuration of SCR equipment and provide operation training to teachers,administrators, and IT staff at partner HEIs.

SUSTech: Technical Support and Disciplinary Collaboration

As a leading flagship university under the backdrop of higher education reform in China, SUSTech highly values international HEI cooperation and provides technical support for joint knowledge production and resource sharing, SCR maintenance, and international research collaboration among partner HEIs.

UNESCO-ICHEI: Context Analysis and Partnership Facilitation

Conduct in-depth context analysis of project countries and their higher education systems to select potential partner HEIs.Lead the multi-stakeholder partnerships with SUSTech, enterprises and partner HEIs to ensuresuccessful implementation of SCR.Monitor and evaluate SCR usage, facilitate communication between partner HEIs and enterprises toaddress any related issues, and generate annual reports on SCR usage.

Smart Classroom Project (SCR)