i2CAT signs an agreement with Giga to foster research and innovative solutions

In collaboration with corporate and non-profit partners, Giga, the partnership between UNICEF’s Office of Innovation and ITU’s Telecommunications Development Bureau, is embarking on a monumental mission to connect every school worldwide to the Internet by 2030. This global initiative, which maps schools’ Internet access in real-time, creates models for innovative financing and supports governments contracting for connectivity, is set to revolutionise education and bridge the digital divide.

To accomplish this ambitious mission, Giga has established a collaborative agreement with the i2CAT Foundation to foster knowledge sharing, research and technology development in the field of connectivity. The work done by both entities in the framework of the collaboration will have an impact on a regional and global scale in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, Goal 4 (Global Education), Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). 

This collaboration will last two years, and its main goals will be:

• Research to enhance understanding and improve practices in connectivity technologies.
• Foster the development of innovative technology solutions, including through tech-oriented challenges, to address connectivity challenges, particularly in underserved regions.
• Promote exchange and international knowledge sharing among researchers and regulators at any level, leveraging platforms like the Giga Government Technology Exchange Program to ensure equitable access to connectivity. 
• Coordination of tech-related challenges and workshops to define connectivity challenges to design and develop technology solutions.

On May 22, the UNICEF GIGA Barcelona staff and government delegations from several countries (Botswana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sierra Leone) visited i2CAT’s offices and learned about diverse projects developed in our research centre. 

On 23 May, Giga will host an event to showcase its flagship open-source product, which helps governments map and connect every school worldwide.