Benin/Setting up two digital rooms in Parakou: The Government makes life easier for students and people with visual disabilities

The Minister of Digitalization, Mrs. Aurelie ADAM SOULÉ ZOUMAROU, was on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the University Institute of Technology (IUT) of the University of Parakou and at the Center for Social Promotion of the Blind (CPSA) of Parakou to proceed with the commissioning of digital rooms in these two academic training centers.

In its vision to make Benin the platform for digital services in West Africa to accelerate economic growth and social inclusion, the Government of President Patrice TALON has initiated and implemented since 2016, several digital development projects including the integration of digital technology in school and university learning.President Patrice TALON has initiated and implemented since 2016, several digital development projects including the integration of digital in school and university learning.

The introduction of digital in schools and universities, social and vocational training centers necessarily involves the installation of working tools, one of which is absolutely the digital classroom. This justifies the policy deployed for months by the Ministry of Digital and Digitization through its operational arm, the Beninese Agency of Universal Service of Electronic Communications and Post (ABSU-CEP) which has included this project in its annual work plan.

Built by ABSU-CEP, the two jewels inaugurated are composed as follows:

- At the University Institute of Technology (IUT) of the University of Parakou:

A prefabricated building of 15m by 8 m, 60 laptop computers "learner" in wireless network with anti-theft for each; . 1 "teacher" laptop with anti-theft device, 1 interactive whiteboard with video projector; 1 magnetic whiteboard and marker holder; 1 cabinet (cart) for storage and loading with a total capacity of at least 61 laptops; 1 Router/Access Point (AP) for Wi-Fi network and Internet access; 61 pieces of furniture consisting of student tables and chairs; a solar power generation device well sized to power the entire facility for 48 hours without interruption; 1 classroom management software; digital educational content; power strips, alarm system, lab kit, .. etc. 2 wireless cameras inside the building linked to 1 32-inch TV screen in the director's office; 1 video conferencing kit (1 Polycom RealPresence Group 500 pack) and 1 NAS storage server.

As for the Centre de Promotion Sociale des Aveugles (CPSA) in Parakou, it is equipped with

10 desktop computers (All-in-One) in wireless network, 09 of which are for the learners and 1 for the teacher; a TV enlarger; 02 reading machines, 10 noise-canceling headphones, a NAS storage server, a Brai printer; 10 Braille spreadsheets, 10 programmable keyboards, a router/Wi-Fi access point, digital content, a computer, a computer, a printer, a printer, a printer, a printer, a printer, a printer driver, a printer driver, a printer driver and a printer driver.10 Braille spreadsheets, 10 programmable keyboards, a router/wifi hotspot, digital content, furniture, a 10 Mbps shared connection supported for 12 months; 10 laptops with specialized software for the benefit of students affiliated with the center; a solar power system.

During her different speeches for the official start-up, the Minister of Digital and Digitization said that "beyond the challenges it imposes on today's and tomorrow's citizens in terms of skills, digital represents an opportunity to improve the quality of life of the population.that "beyond the challenges that it imposes on today's and tomorrow's citizens in terms of skills, digital technology represents a tremendous opportunity to improve the quality of public services in all sectors, but also to ensure their continuity in crisis situations". A well-deserved tribute was paid to her colleagues in higher education, social affairs and microfinance for their support in the implementation of these projects. She also thanked all the actors who were involved in the success of the project: "I would like to thank the officials at various levels for their contributions to the realization of this project and invite them to continue this support so that ABSU- CEP works more to make ICT a catalyst of economic dynamics and modernization of Benin."

It should be noted that during the different ceremonies, several political and administrative authorities who delivered speeches expressed their gratitude to ABSU- CEP. expressed their gratitude to the Head of State Patrice TALON and his government for keeping their word. The representative of the Prefect of Borgou, Mr. Sanni Bio BAYÉ, Secretary General of the Prefecture, appealed to the visually impaired learners in the following terms: "Dear learners, I invite you to consider your situation, not as a fatality, but rather an opportunity to enhance your assets."

Each ceremony was punctuated by a ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizing the official commissioning of the digital infrastructure and a tour of the facilities.

Were present at these different ceremonies, members of the Cabinet of the Minister, the actors of the academic world of the University of Parakou, the Director General of ABSU-CEP, Mr. Sèdjro François de Paule AGOUA, the Mayor of Parakou, Mr. Inoussa CHABI ZIMÉ, the representative of the Prefect of Borgou, Mr. Sanni Bio BAYÉ, Secretary General of the Prefecture, the Directors of the IUT and the CPSA ....etc.

Source: www.gouv.bj