The Children in Need education programs provide education and vocational training to foster social development through quality education and gender equality. Since its launch 20 years ago, the program has supported over 450 different projects in more than 100 countries, working alongside the poorest of the poor. Dr. Ute-Henriette Ohoven has been involved with the program since its inception.
The initiative, led by Education for Children in Need, will see ISE hire consultants, specialists, and integrators to assist in the installation and equipping of a new E-Start-Up Academy in Chisinau, Moldova. The academy will be built to provide a foundation for modern educational programs covering web development, computer science, economics, marketing, and business English. Specifically, the course in Chisinau will cover the fundamentals of economics, accounting, and business plan creation. In addition, there will be an optional online module designed to prepare students for the Certified Technician (CTS) exam, as well as the opportunity to access residential CEDIA networking courses, which lead to certified networking credentials.
Ultimately, the program aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills and confidence to return to their local communities and launch sustainable micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises. The five-week course will train 400 Moldovans annually, 50% of whom will be women. In addition to practical business skills training, there will be a focus on students' personal development. After graduation, participants will receive mentorship from local entrepreneurs and business professionals to enhance their chances of success.
The ISE initiative is part of the SeeHearTouch charity, which in recent years has subsidized the design, installation, and support of cinema systems in children's hospitals. The cinema equipment has been donated by AV equipment manufacturers. This program will now be expanded to include the E-Start-Up Academy. ISE's decision to fund local installers and integrators is to ensure that the academy receives comprehensive, ongoing technical support once the initial equipment installation is complete.
ISE CEO Mike Blackman commented: "We are delighted to be able to work with UNESCO Special Ambassador Dr. Ohoven and his team on this vital educational program in Moldova. This will help young people build a future for themselves and others within their own country. Given the support we have received from the charity SeeHearTouch, I know the wider AV community will support this new initiative. From now on, it will be SeeHearTouch and Learn.".
