IDB, Google pledge cooperation to improve Caribbean education
WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has pledged to collaborate with Google for Education in generating “innovative solutions” to improve education in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
The Washington-based IDB said the partnership will integrate technology-intensive activities into IDB-financed projects, using transformational tools like G Suite for Education and Chromebooks, as well as processes to foster technology-based classroom dynamics.
The organisations have also committed to exploring additional opportunities to integrate Google education projects into IDB programmes and initiatives.
“Improving education quality across the region requires that we capture the potential of technology as a tool to increase access and promote engagement between teachers and students,” said Emiliana Vegas, Chief of the Education Division at the IDB.
“Collaborating with Google allows the bank to tap into the resources and expertise of one of the world’s most forward-looking companies, while collaborating with the IDB allows Google to work in hard-to-reach communities and impact education at a regional scale,” she added.
In addition to this focus on technology-based learning, Vegas said the IDB and Google will focus on the role of innovation in education, creating space for knowledge exchange on this topic.
“We strongly believe that innovation through technology in education can have significant positive impact, but it has to be correctly and thoughtfully implemented and supported by partners,” said Rodrigo Pimentel, Google for Education LATAM Head.
“That is the primary reason why we believe this collaboration with the IDB is important. We are jointly working on and looking for projects with measurable impact in education.”
The IDB said the joint commitment to education builds upon an existing collaboration between it and Google.
Google is one of four anchor organisations involved in the IDB’s ConnectAmericas initiative, which works to help small and medium enterprises from the LAC region expand globally.
