October 27, 2022

Instructure & ASU's Thunderbird School of Global Management: Partner to Offer 100 Million Students Equitable Access to Education

I Instructure and Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management have teamed up to launch an ed-tech platform that aims to make education more equitable. The ambitious project offers free education to disadvantaged students across the globe through the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative.

In early 2022, both Thunderbird grads, Francis and Dionne Najafi, created the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative with an extraordinary $25 million commitment to the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The initiative provides high-quality education to a population who historically did not have access to it, notably women and young kids. It will be in effect until 2030.

The collaboration will involve the use of a programme powered by the Canvas Learning Management System. The programme already works with recognised accredited universities in 40 languages to provide free education to vulnerable students all over the world, and the partners of the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative hope that the use of the learning management system will help them achieve their goal.

…this global initiative is a fun online programme that gives required flexibility and encourages forward-thinking leaders and educators worldwide. We are honoured to be a part of such an innovative and actionable endeavour…

The Global Initiative offers three educational tracks to learners based on their level of study. The foundational courses are for learners of any level; the intermediate courses are for advanced high school students to current undergraduate students; and the advanced courses are for advanced undergraduate students and above.

"The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Endeavour is exactly the type of global caring endeavour that Instructure is happy and proud to support with money and time.

As leaders, we must consider how we can provide excellent equal access to education while taking into account a wide range of student needs. This global initiative is a fun online programme that provides needed flexibility and encourages forward-thinking leaders and educators all over the world. We are honoured to be a part of such an innovative and actionable endeavour." Speaking to the press, Instructure CEO Steve Daly stated.

Sanjeev Khagram, director general and dean of ASU's Thunderbird School of Global Management, also emphasised the significance of the project, which aims to level the playing field in education.

He told reporters that by working with Instructure and their Canvas LMS platform, the Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative hopes to advance educational empowerment around the world.

Posted in Collaborations and tagged Collaborations, Instructure, Arizona State University, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, Canvas Learning Management System
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