Abans and Haier launch Sri Lanka’s first flagship smart classroom concept

Abans in collaboration with Haier, a globally renowned smart education brand, introduced Sri Lanka’s fully fledged flagship smart classroom concept as part of a CSR initiative. Abans and Haier launched the first smart classroom on 2 December at Vishaka Girls’ High School, Badulla, which was formally opened by Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando.

Peak He, Account Manager – Haier Computer Overseas Division and International Smart Education, Byren Zhao, General Manager – Haier Computer Overseas Division and International Smart Education, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of Transport, and Vadivel Suresh, Member of Parliament attended the event as well. Several other classroom projects are also in the process of completion and will be handed over to the respective schools soon.

“The smart classroom initiative is expected to transform the teaching and learning process in a significant manner in the Sri Lankan education system. Students will be able to experience personalised and innovative learning with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and content. This project will also open up boundaries and promote critical thinking with introducing digitally empowered innovation corners to classrooms for the first time in Sri Lanka. The Smart classroom initiative itself will encourage and make the catalytic effect in the entire school education system to use digital technologies more effectively in teaching and learning process,” said Harin Fernando, remarking on this significant occasion.

Developed with the support of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure (MTDI), this CSR initiative represents the Abans’ commitment towards enhancing the current academic standards in Sri Lanka.

The Haier-Abans Smart Classroom provides both teachers and students the opportunity to engage in different academic techniques, other than rote memorisation. Addressing the divergent needs, abilities and learning styles expressed by the school population of today, this all-inclusive solution aims to engender deeper critical thinking skills, improve motivation in the classroom, and broaden students’ scope of knowledge. The interactive nature of the classroom makes learning more fun for students, whilst fostering greater engagement with both the teacher and the lesson.

All smart classrooms feature the integration of unique computing and assistive learning devices specially designed by Haier. Each teacher and student will receive a Haier laptop, which is connected to a wireless access point that serves as the classroom cloud. Through the wireless access point’s functionality and the classroom management software, the teacher can monitor students’ progress on assigned tasks and assist them in their learning process. Students will also be able to collaborate with each other on projects, writing assignments, debates and more using their laptops.

Additionally, teachers can project their lessons onto a Hi-Board, an interactive smart display with touch functionality and tempered glass-based backboard panels that support multiple writing tools such as regular chalk, dustless chalk and marker pens. This display device includes built-in aids and software for different shapes, characters and scientific formulas, making lecturing more efficient and convenient for the teacher. Plus, the lessons generated through the interactive whiteboard functionality of the Hi-Board will automatically be uploaded on the students’ laptops. After class is over, students can store their laptops in a Haier charging trolley that charges these devices when not in use, whilst keeping them safe from electrical damage and theft.

The CSR initiative reflects Abans’ ongoing efforts in ensuring that every child attains a high-quality education. Believing that access to a good education will allow for greater social mobility and an improved economy, Abans has always made significant investments towards the Sri Lankan education system. One striking example is Abans’ noteworthy donation of over 200 laptops to disadvantaged students currently enrolled in schools and universities.

By introducing the smart classroom concept with Haier, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, Abans intends to offer a solution that will revolutionise how lessons are taught in schools across the country.

Thus, the Haier-Abans Smart Classroom Solution will herald the visionary future of education in Sri Lanka.