Ericsson announces South African winner of international award

International telecommunications corporation Ericsson has announced that the Rhodes University Mathematics Project (RUMEP) is one of five winners worldwide of the Ericsson Internet Community Award (ERICA - http://www.ericsson.com/erica).

This award earns each winner a prize of US$100 000 in web development services from Ericsson`s Internet Solutions resource base.

In line with its commitment to bridging the digital divide, ERICA was developed by Ericsson to provide non-profit and charitable organisations with the resources needed to further develop their ideas for Web-based projects that benefit a range of social causes around the world. In addition, ERICA provides information through discussion forums, monthly newsletters and webcasts on the ERICA website.

To enter the competition, applicants were required to submit their ideas on how they would use the Internet to improve life for the individuals and communities they serve - with winners using the prize of web development services to turn that idea into reality.

RUMEP`s idea was to extend its mathematics teachers education project from a basic school network, reliant upon traditional face-to-face meetings and communications methods, to a Web-based mathematics resource facility, called MathsNet. The database would allow for sharing of curricula and provide for the improvement in the quality of mathematics instruction for thousands of children affected by the legacy of Apartheid.

Teachers would be able to access MathsNets` database instantly for learning materials for both student and teacher development. This will be the first project in South Africa to provide an opportunity for rural and under qualified math teachers to work together through the Internet.

"The geographical challenges that programs such as RUMEP face can be overcome by using the Internet as a method of communicating," said Moira Sheridan, General Manager Corporate Communications, Ericsson South Africa. "Training confident, resourceful leader teachers through a collaborative MathsNet application will introduce these individuals to technology and empower them with the information they need to guide and support themselves, students and other teachers in their area."

RUMEP and the four other prizewinners were honoured at the World Resources Institute "Creating Digital Dividends" Conference in Seattle today. Other recipients include Pathways Community Network (Georgia), National Downs Syndrome Society (New York), The Gould League (Australia) and The Fiji School of Medicine (FIJI).