Reach Out To Asia (Rota), a top non-profit organisation in Qatar, and Qatar Academy (QA), a key educational institution, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on setting up a computer refurbishing initiative at QA.

The agreement was recently signed by Mohammed Jassim Al-Naama, Rota executive director and senior management representative (Fundraising & Sponsorship) and Dr Eric Sands, Qatar Academy director.

As Qatar Academy regularly buys new computer equipment for students and staff alike, the agreement supports the recycling and refurbishing of Qatar Academy disused laptops, to be donated to migrant workers. It is expected that some 640 laptops will be refurbished and distributed in 2014.

The pact builds upon Rota’s Computer Refurbishing initiative started in 2013 to support Qatar Academy’s own programme on computer refurbishing for its ‘Laptops for Workers’ drive.

Cooperation effectively started in February; QA students have participated in an introduction session to Computer Refurbishing by Rota. They also visited Rota Computer refurbishing Lab and started refurbishing QA laptops following QA designed methodology for refurbishing.

“Rota Computer Refurbishing Project has always focused on the positive impact of modern technology and quality education in students' lives. Today, we are delighted to sign this agreement to help set up a new initiative in line with Rota’s drive at Qatar Academy”, said Al-Naama.

“This Rota-QA partnership will provide an incredible opportunity for students to utilize their technical potential to reach out to the underprivileged and deserving workers by offering them IT as a tool to create a better future.”

“This agreement reiterates our belief in giving importance to the sense of community and on developing community awareness and concern, and the skills needed to make an effective contribution to society,” said Dr Sands.

“When our employees are better educated and better connected to the world - including their homes and families - their well-being is enhanced, their job satisfaction is improved, their attention to what they are doing is deepened and finally, their pride on working in Doha, especially QF, is greater.”

‘‘Laptop for Workers’’ at Qatar Academy is an International Baccalaureate Community and Service (MYP - C&S) and Creativity, Action Service (DP - CAS) program. All students in the senior school are eligible to join. C&S and CAS programs develop a sense of community as well as making connections between themselves and the community.

The purpose of this program is to provide low income workers at Qatar Academy, in Education City and in Qatar with laptops and mobile phones in order to improve their quality of life while working temporarily in Qatar.

Under the terms of the agreement, Rota with its developed expertise in setting up computer refurbishing initiatives, will support QA as it creates its own computer refurbishing lab, triage zone, inventory and asset management. QA will impart training in the computer lab to refurbish, repair, test and prepare computers for distribution.

The Rota Computer refurbishing project was initiated by Reach Out To Asia to address environmental impact of e-Waste and use refurbished computers to improve access to quality education. – TradeArabia News Service