Jazz’s sustainability project nominated for a GSMA Award under the category of ‘Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the UN SDGs in Asia’

Islamabad – 13 June 2018: The ‘Jazz Smart School’ programme, an initiative of Pakistan’s leading digital company, Jazz, has been nominated for the prestigious GSMA Asia Mobile Awards 2018 under the category of ‘Outstanding Mobile Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia.’ The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, June 27-29, 2018.

This year 102 nominees have been shortlisted for 14 awards with Jazz being the sole representative from Pakistan. The awards are spread across seven categories: “Mobile Tech,” “Consumer,” “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” “Device,” “4YFN,” “Social Good,” and “Outstanding Achievement.”

The GSMA Asia Mobile Awards are judged by more than 60 world-leading independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics and, in some cases, mobile operator representatives.

Launched in partnership with the Capital Administration and Development Division (CA&DD) and the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the ‘Jazz Smart School’ programme introduces a smart learning solution to the traditional schooling system through a digital blended learning platform. The objective of the programme is to improve the quality of instruction in the public sector schools that otherwise do not have access to state-of-the-art technological tools and devices.

“Being nominated by an honorable, international body at one of the most prestigious awards of the telecom industry, allows Jazz Smart School program to gain international exposure,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO – Jazz. “Part of our ‘Make Your Mark’ initiative, we would like to push this programme to schools nationwide, so more students can benefit from digital learning.”

So far the programme has been implemented across 75 female schools in the federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, where more than 20,000 female students and 500 female teachers are already benefitting from digital content and lessons designed to inculcate a better understanding of concepts. The programme directly addresses SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 – Gender Equality and SDG 9 – Industry Innovation & Infrastructure.

“FDE has been working with the team over past nine months and we have seen how the Jazz Smart School programme has positively impacted learning outcomes of thousands of female students in our schools. The programme is aligned with our long term goals and we hope to expand it even further,” added Hasnat Qureshi DG – FDE.

“Since the launch of the programme, we have seen how it has empowered teachers and engaged students in all schools. It has been fascinating to see 45-year old teachers, who had never touched a computer before, overcoming their fear and using technology in their classrooms. 65% of our schools are located in rural areas, and for them it has been a life-changing experience. This collective effort will be key to attaining sustainable development goals,” said Hira Zainab, Head of Outreach and Engagement, Knowledge Platform.

Jazz has been a recipient of another GSMA organized international awards, when JazzCash was recognized as the “Best Mobile Product, Application or Service for Women in Emerging Markets” at Global Mobile Awards 2017, hosted at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.