SUVA, Fiji – 28 May 2024 – For the second year running, Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN, news, filings), Digicel Fiji, and Southern Cross are coming together to provide schools in Fiji with high-speed internet access of at least 10 Mbps via the Digicel Fiji network. The Assemblies of God High School, Basden Anglican College, and Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Fiji will enjoy enhanced internet access provided by Project Semata, a joint initiative between the three companies. This current iteration of the project with three new schools will benefit more than 2,000 teachers and students in Suva.
“This great initiative will enable us to be connected to the world, assisting us in the daily teaching and learning process. It will enable teachers to access the latest teaching methods. Students too will be at an advantage with a greater access to a variety of resources which can help them prepare well for any assessment or examination. Communication barriers between all school stakeholders will become a thing of the past and the Internet will be a great enabler for monitoring and informing parents about their child’s performance in school,” said Mr. Waisale Tavatuilagi, Head of School, Basden Anglican College.
“E-learning and teleworking are considered essential to full social and economic inclusion, making internet connectivity a necessity regardless of where you’re based. Through the Ciena Digital Inclusion programme, it is a privilege to once again be working with Digicel Fiji and Southern Cross on Project Semata to address some of the gaps in rural connectivity,” said Mr. Philip Rolle, Regional Managing Director, Subsea, Ciena Asia Pacific.
Digicel Fiji CEO, Mr. Farid Mohammed, said: “Digicel Fiji is thrilled to partner with Ciena and Southern Cross for the second year of Project Semata. This project is essential for bridging the digital divide in Fiji and ensuring that students and teachers have access to the high-speed internet they need to succeed in today’s digital world. By providing enhanced internet access to these schools in Suva, we are empowering them with the tools and resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
“We continue to believe in the critical role broadband connectivity plays in socio-economic development, in particular learning, education, and communication. Southern Cross is committed to supporting this development through high-speed and accessible internet in rural areas of the Pacific, and by collaborating with Ciena and Digicel Fiji we see this commitment come to fruition. Project Semata has been greatly received in improving accessibility of learning materials and empowering the education of students and teachers in Savusavu, and Southern Cross is proud to expand this support into other schools in Fiji,” says Mr. Laurie Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Cross.
In 2023, Project Semata supported three schools in Savusavu, providing around 2,000 teachers and students with reliable and convenient access to high-speed internet to support their learning journey with access to new online learning materials.
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