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HP’s longstanding partner Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute (MEA-I) won the top prize at the ‘iLearning Forum Awards’ held in Paris at the beginning of this year. MEA-I received the prestigious award, as well as success in all five award categories, in recognition of its innovative Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Programme (MAP).
The event was organised by iLearning Forum and the European Institute for E-Learning (EIfEL). The theme of the awards was ‘Integrated learning: embedding learning technologies for individual and organisational development’. MEA-I was judged to be the best for its innovative approach to integrated learning, involvement of stakeholders and willingness to go beyond clients’ expectations.
Accelerating economic development
The solution that won the award, MEA-I’s MAP training initiative, is designed to accelerate economic development in communities around the world. HP launched the initiative in 2005 and, in 2006, MEA-I took over the MAP Programme in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
HP is a platinum sponsor of MEA-I and supports its efforts to develop new MAP training centres in EMEA. MAP provides small enterprises employing up to ten people with the right training, practical knowledge and IT skills, enabling them to successfully run and develop their businesses. More than 20,000 small businesses benefit from MAP training in EMEA and Asia-Pacific every year.
Charl Snyman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Products, Personal Systems Group, HP EMEA said of the award: “We are delighted that the tremendous effort and hard work of MEA-I has been recognised with such a prestigious award. HP is committed to supporting non-profit organisations, educational institutions and communities to help increase job skills and foster entrepreneurial development through innovative use of IT. We’re looking forward to continuing our support of MEA-I’s initiatives in the future.”
Flagship social investment initiative
The partnership between HP and MEA-I has also led to the creation of HP’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Training though IT (GET-IT) programme, one of HP’s flagship social investment initiatives which helps young and unemployed people acquire business and IT skills to enter professional life or create their own businesses.
The GET-IT training initiative operates in 70 GET-IT training centres in 25 countries across EMEA. The programme is run in partnership with MEA-I and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Africa. In September, HP and MEA-I launched a new web portal, www.get-it-city.net, which focuses on spreading the reach of GET-IT beyond the classroom. Young entrepreneurs, who do not live close enough to a GET-IT training centre, can log on for training and advice and can tap in the GET-IT course online.
About MEA-I
The Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute is an international, non-profit organisation that facilitates access and knowledge of IT by advancing the implementation of digital acceleration centres, student-centred teaching and learning programmes through ubiquitous technology. The Micro-Enterprise Acceleration Institute is sponsored by Hewlett-Packard.
About EIfEL
EIfEL (European Institute for E-Learning) is an independent, non-profit European professional association whose mission is to support organisations, communities and individuals in building a knowledge economy and a learning society through innovative and reflective practice, continuing professional development and the use of knowledge, information and learning technologies. EIfEL is leading the Europortfolio consortium and is a founding member of EFQUEL the European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning.
About iLearn Forum
iLearn Forum Ltd is the organiser of numerous international exhibitions and conferences dedicated to the use of learning technologies for the worlds of education and enterprise. The team led by Sally-Ann Moore, international eLearning expert, founded ElearnExpo in Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Hong Kong and Moscow as well the MELT – Middle East Learning Technologies annual events in Bahrain and Dubai. Building on the success of eLearnExpo Paris, iLearning Forum brings together professionals in the domains of learning technologies, learning and development in an environment that optimises reflection and networking. The event is now in its 9th year. |
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