Samsung Canada commits $1 Million to Canadian public education

Samsung Canada today announced a major commitment to Canadian public education, with the national launch of its Solve for Tomorrow program which will pledge $1 million in school technology grants as well as support in researching the barriers and opportunities for technology solutions in the classroom. Samsung started the Solve for Tomorrow education program in 2010 in North America to help support 21^st century learning goals, raise awareness and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects and to help reduce the technology gap in classrooms. 

“Canada has a world-class education system, and we want to lend our support to ensure it continues to remain at the forefront, adapting and growing to prepare our students for a rapidly changing, technology-driven, globalized world,” said James Politeski, President, Samsung Canada. “Technology in the classroom has the ability to really engage students and give them ownership of their learning, helping them develop real-world skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration and digital literacy. With The Learning Partnership’s expertise and unparalleled network in public education, we look forward to working together to bring both research insights and technology solutions to the classroom to impact student achievement.”

Samsung is now the official Technology Innovation Partner of The Learning Partnership, a national charitable organization dedicated to supporting, promoting and advancing publicly funded education in Canada.  Through this partnership, Samsung will work in collaboration with the education community to help effectively integrate technology into classrooms to enhance and support teaching and learning.  The first of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow school technology grants were awarded to this year’s 40 exceptional principals named as winners of The Learning Partnership’s 10^th annual Canada’s Outstanding Principals program. During the program’s gala dinner event and awards ceremony on February 25, 2014 in Toronto, Samsung surprised the winning principals with the incredible news that they would each receive a $20,000 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow school technology grant.

The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow technology grants will be customized directly with each school through a consultative process. From Samsung tablets with S Pen technology to Chromebooks with Google-based platforms to LFD boards, the focus will be on the technology solutions that can best foster supporting 21^st century learning opportunities in the classroom. Representing schools in every province and territory, the first Samsung Solve for Tomorrow grant recipients will work collaboratively with The Learning Partnership and Samsung to deliver invaluable data and feedback on the classroom technology to create research insight reports to benefit educators, parents, students and Ministries of Education.

“Samsung is an innovation leader and we are excited to partner with them to enhance 21^st century learning opportunities in public education across Canada,” said Akela Peoples, President and CEO, The Learning Partnership. “Their commitment to public education, through their Solve for Tomorrow initiatives will positively impact students across the country – starting with the schools identified through our Canada’s Outstanding Principals program. Together, we look forward to taking all our programs to new heights.”

In addition to the Canada’s Outstanding Principals program, Samsung Canada will support many of The Learning Partnership’s programs for students and educators, including Iᶟ- Investigate! Invent! Innovate!, Leading Learning through Technology and Executive Leadership programs. Samsung will also support some of the core work of The Learning Partnership, including the 2014 Partnership Summit this April, where business, education and government leaders will discuss together a vision for public education in the 21^st century.

About Samsung Electronics Canada

Samsung Electronics Canada is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for young minded consumers everywhere through innovation, stylish design and premium experiences. Through relentless innovation and discovery, Samsung is transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the technology industry. In 2013, Samsung was ranked #8 in the Interbrand 100 Best Global Brands while the Canadian arm was named as one of Strategy Magazine’s 2013 Brands of the Year and Marketing Magazine’s 2012 Top 10 Marketers of the Year in Canada. Globally, Samsung employs 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion.