The challenge of educating (well) the world

When I was a teenager, I’d go to the video rental store with my friends or family. We’d often spend hours on end looking at films to rent. I usually rented four every month, meaning one each week, at an average price of 3.5 euros. That meant each month I’d have 4 films for 14 euros. It’s crazy, paying 14 euros for just 4 films! Some of you won’t even get what I’m talking about. Digital TV and streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO or Amazon have democratized access to audiovisual content. Today, we can access series, films and documentaries for 10 euros on average every month (that wouldn't have been enough for even 3 films at the video rental store).

It made me and my university friends think: What if we could do the same for the educational sector? That’s how ThePowerMBA was born: we wondered if we could use digitalization and technology to democratize higher education. Our main goal, as is the case with most start-ups, is to use technology to improve people’s lives. In this particular case, to ensure access to management-centered, highly practical and cost-effective education. Thanks to technology, we can create theme-based groups of content in 15-minute knowledge pills, with leading companies such as YouTube or Shazam, for 80% less than what an MBA would cost.

This concept might seem less revolutionary after a year marked by home schooling; but we had already launched in 2017, when few people were promoting the use of technology as an educational tool. Later, the need to continue to learn from home during a pandemic showed that it was possible to apply technology to this sector. Nevertheless, my idea of democratizing education goes even further, and I really think it could solve problems of education in many places all over the world. There are two key problems that technology can solve:

-         Access to global talent: The best teachers would no longer have to move to another city or country to teach classes, they could conduct them online for students in different parts of the world. It could solve lack of access to education all over the world. According to the UNESCO, 40% of the world’s population are unable to access education in their native language. Think of depopulated areas where there are barely any teachers or schools for the few children that live there. Giving them the necessary tools (Internet connection and a computer) would let them access quality education.

-         Lifelong education: a changing world demands constant training, but the time factor tends to be an obstacle in this regard. Programmes such as The PowerMBA help people to continue to learn. If we use the potential of technology, businesses could invest in Master’s degrees for their employees at a fraction of the cost and improve learning quality.

Human beings have always found tools to make their lives easier and better. If we can revolutionize access to entertainment with audiovisual platforms, the retail sector with delivery platforms, or the sector of Transport on Demand, we should be able to use technology to guarantee the welfare of a nation. Yes, let’s not forget that a country’s welfare lies in its people’s access to education.

Do you think we can democratize education through digitalization? 

Let’s talk, I’m listening!

#education, #digitalization, #MBA