HUNTSVILLE – Kajeet, a wireless connectivity and device management provider, is collaborating with Drake State Community and Technical College to address historical disparities in computer and broadband access.
Using funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the initiative is part of the NTIA’s Connecting Minority Communities Pilot program and underscores Drake State’s focus on eliminating the digital divide in and around Madison County.
Kajeet’s education solutions were selected for the comprehensive access program at the college.
“This program will help in bridging the equity divide that impedes minority communities from participating in the digital economy,” said Dr. Marina Kingsbury, director of Grants and Sponsored Programs at Drake State. “Kajeet’s managed service has helped make this deployment easy to administer.”
As part of the program, Kajeet, based in McLean, Va., has provided 425 Maestro e-books, fully provisioned and ready for student distribution.
Jamaal Smith, senior vice president of Public Sector Sales at Kajeet, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration.
“At Kajeet, we remain committed to empowering communities by addressing digital inequities head-on,” Smith said. “We are proud to partner with Drake State Community and Technical College to provide equitable access to technology for their student population.
“This initiative is a crucial step toward ensuring that all students, including Historical Black Community Colleges and Universities have the necessary tools to succeed in their educational journey.”
The company has also equipped Drake State with 425 Kajeet SmartSpot WiFi hotspots to ensure seamless connectivity for students working from home and at off-campus locations.
“On June 8, Drake State launched its laptop distribution program, enabling eligible students to use internet-enabled laptops to seamlessly access online courses, complete assignments, and access career resources,” Kingsbury said. “Kajeet’s education solutions will make a profound difference in the lives of our students.”
The Maestro e-books and the Kajeet SmartSpots are powered by Kajeet’s award-winning management platform, Sentinel.
Sentinel offers robust device management, content filtering, and analytics capabilities, ensuring a secure and efficient learning environment for students, the company said.
With Sentinel, Drake State will have complete visibility into device usage and can provide tailored support to enhance students’ learning experiences.
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