The EduVision Pilot Project has been met with enthusiasm from a wide range of partners and collaborators, all of who share our desire to see increased access to quality education
in developing countries. The following list of partners and collaborators is current as of January 1st, 2005.

BioVision
BioVision is a Swiss not-for-profit foundation with a global mission to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of the poor, while maintaining the precious natural resource base that sustains life. BioVision functions as an intermediate between research institutes and local communities, ensuring that benefits of science reach the people most in need of them. BioVision is currently EduVisions main donor, providing seed money to begin the implementation of the Pilot Project.

UNESCO
UNESCO’s initial interest in an Information Communication Technology solution to counter the quality education access deficit, most prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa, is the EduVision pilot project’s raison d’étre. The project was instigated at their urging, and they remain a potential source of monetary support, pending the approval of their 2005 budget by UN member nations. Additionally, UNESCO’s role as a proponent of the project has helped BioVision launch the EduVision project most notably in securing support from potential donors and relevant government agencies.

First Voice International
FVI is the philanthropic arm of WorldSpace, Inc., the company that operates the digital satellite radio network on which EELS content is distributed. FVI controls ten percent of the WorldSpace bandwidth, which they dedicate to the dissemination of information beneficial to impoverished regions in Africa and Asia. FVI’s focus is on audio content that is accessed through WorldSpace radio receivers. Education is a central focus of FVI’s information dissemination efforts, and includes audio lessons that students in schools with teacher-shortages can follow along to. FVI is an enthusiastic supporter of EduVision’s technology-based solution, and has offered to support the initiative with a $50,000 grant towards our transmission costs.

ICIPE
The International Center of Insect Physiology, a longtime partner in many a BioVision project, is partnered with the EduVision project on two levels. Most importantly, in a symbiotic arrangement, ICIPE will provide content (environmentally-sound methodologies for controlling pests, or additional income-generating activities such as beekeeping are two such examples of ICIPE’s content contribution) for dissemination to rural farmers via the EELS network accessed by their children alongside their curriculum content. ICIPE will thus aid in the testing of a technology that could, in the near future, greatly expand their outreach capability. Furthermore, ICIPE extends logistical support to the project, hosting the trial run’s staff and office requirements at its Thomas Odhiambo Campus in Mbita.

Altoros Systems
Altoros is a software-outsourcing firm headquartered in Boston, MA, USA and is responsible for the development of the software component of the EELS technology platform. As a firm experienced in both “e-Education” software and target audiences in developing countries, Altoros makes for an ideal partner. Recognizing the social impact of EELS they are undertaking the software development at a discounted cost.

Kenyan Government (Ministry of Education)
To date BioVision staff have met twice with the Kenyan Minister of Education, briefing the Government on the project and obtaining their support. The minister, who recently oversaw the introduction of free primary education in the country and is currently attempting to balance the vast influx of students with the limited resources available, has shown a remarkable level of interest. While lacking resources themselves, and thus being unable to provide direct monetary support, the Government sent an official request to UNESCO requesting urgent funding for the project.

The Government has also been forthcoming with logistical support to facilitate the execution of the project. Among this logistical support are, most notably, directives to our test-school and the surrounding regional educational authorities to provide us with all the necessary support and assistance required, as well as a copyright waiver allowing us to reproduce the necessary textbooks on the eSlates.

Mbita Point Primary School
This public primary school situated in Mbita Point, on the shores of Lake Victoria, was EduVision’s first choice while selecting a rural school at which to test the EELS technology. When approached in May 2004 with the possibility of playing host to the project the response from students, teachers and the school administration alike was one of interest and enthusiasm. This did not fade even as we explained that we would require teachers and students to commit a fair portion of their December holiday as well as numerous weekends and afternoons throughout technology trial.

ELCI
The Environment Liaison Center International is an environment-advocacy NGO based in Nairobi, Kenya whose primary role is to serve as a watchdog over the United Nations Environment Programme. It accomplishes this in part by serving as the link between grassroots organizations representing rural, disenfranchised populations and high-level policy makers in the international community. Many of their programmes thus involve the designing simple guides to how international policy adoptions (such as the Convention on Biodiversity) can be used by local populations to safeguard their environment. The EELS platform, though developed as a replacement for textbooks in primary and secondary schools throughout Africa, is equally well suited as a cost-effective, wide-coverage, NGO information dissemination platform. ELCI is currently incorporating a trimmed-down version of the EduVision proposal, consisting primarily of descriptions of the technology and suggested applications, in a number of their proposals. If funded, this money would be applied towards offsetting the technology finalization costs of the EduVision project.

Bridgeworks
Bridgeworks is a privately owned Swiss- and Kenya based enterprise that incubates and commercializes lasting product and service ideas. Bridgeworks strongly believes, that in the long run, entrepreneurship and economic principles are the main pillar of an intelligent and lasting development, in industrial as well as developing countries. This key driving force has to be enveloped in a framework consisting of social and ecological principles that have a global acceptance and therefore generate an appropriate market price. Narrowing the gap between developing and developed countries, building a bridge between ecologically, social and economically promising research initiatives and the industry. Eduvision and bridgeworks are exploring opportunities for private sector funding.

Ambient Interactive
With their main offices located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Ambient Interactive has emerged from their corporate surroundings as one of the most innovative design agencies around. With their focus on interactive design, Ambient is passionately dedicated to providing their clients with groundbreaking, user centered solutions. As a partner with EduVision, Ambient Interactive has taken a consultative role in the research, design, and implementation of the E-slate user interface. Ambient Interactive believes that by transforming technologies and the way we interact with them we can improve people's lives.