Studiare leverages MindFit’s technology to build a School in the cloud for Africa.

Nigerian edtech startup, Studiare, has secured a partnership with UK-based advanced learning company Y2PG, of MindFit Limited in order to address behavioral and learning gaps in Africa’s education and employment sector. This is contained in an official press release sent to Tekedia Institute. The team has attended Tekedia Institute’s programs.

The partnership announced allows Studiare to incorporate MindFit’s infrastructure in their operations, to take the Y2PG product to market in West Africa as they launch their edtech platform which includes features such as e-Store, publisher, and literary work promotion, looking to develop the educational content and learning character for the African market. Targeting all scholars but currently focused on tertiary and secondary school students across the West African region, Studiare plans its phase one launch to be in May 2021, having been in development for 6 months.

Speaking on the partnership and upcoming launch of Studiare, CEO Faith Nwaobia says, “Studiare is built to scale competencies across Africa’s educational sector and as thus we are delighted to have kick-started our impact process with MindFit. Considering how much results the team has achieved in the UK edtech space we are optimistic that this deal is one that will support Studiare’s right footing to address SDGs 1, 4, & 8.

Nwaobia concludes, “This partnership is a great boost to the Studiare brand, and considering the vital space it covers, I have no doubt of its sustainability. Of course, education is a global product especially when it’s a lifelong solution as well as a highly sort after offer as it is for soft skills in the future of work.”

Still speaking on the partnership, CEO of MindFit, Neville Gant adds, “This partnership means so much to us considering the scope it covers. Providing a digital platform for unrivaled soft skills acquisition which is highly sought after today. We are delighted to collaborate with the Studiare Global brand which is designed to offer innovative edtech solutions making knowledge available anytime to anyone at any time. Studiare School will offer an action-based practical curriculum that is not presently taught in schools.

People should expect a new system of e-learning with full activity modules considering that the Y2PG platform (Mind Fit/Studiare Solutions) runs under the same methodology as a regular classroom, however, it’s purely a school in the cloud where everything you need to learn to build your soft skills and attitude is guided with activity classes. It’s not the regular e-learning platform where answers are stereotyped, rather, you cannot progress without actually practicing each lesson. We call it 5% E-learning 95% E-doing. In Pakistan where this e-learning curriculum has been introduced outside of the UK, many organizations have witnessed improved performance among employees after signing them to study on the platform. Same with many students, professionals, and freelancers who have signed up and have significantly improved their soft skills. We project that the impact of this platform would be greater in Nigeria.“

In conclusion, Neville revealed that “on a financial value rating, this deal is worth more than $300,000 considering the technology that’s being deployed to bring this solution and MindFit is confident that the Studiare model is worth every penny. And if we are to consider its scalability, with the level of success MindFit has been able to achieve in the UK, Pakistan and other countries, in two years from today, this deal would have doubled its value to over $1.5 Million.”

Xiaomi has become the latest smartphone maker to delve into electric vehicles. The Chinese company announced Tuesday that it is investing $10 billion over the next decade in a electric vehicle subsidiary.

This comes months after US smartphone maker, Apple accelerated its push for electric cars.

Xiaomi said in a stock market filing that the new unit will be led by billionaire co-founder and CEO Lei Jun, with an initial investment worth 10 billion yuan, ($1.5 billion). Lei announced his intention to lead a new standalone division.

While Xiaomi did not reveal funding details of the plan, a source told Bloomberg that the company could invest up to 100 billion yuan in the project, depending on the progress, and the company will contribute about 60% of the envisioned sum and plans to raise rest of the funds.

“We have a deep pocket for this project. I’m fully aware of the risks of the car-making industry. I’m also aware the project will take at least three to five years with tens of billions of investment,” Lei said, adding that Xiaomi is not planning to invite outside investors to the party.

Electric vehicles are becoming a growing choice of divestment for tech companies recently.

In January, Apple intensified its search for a partner, courting carmakers including Hyundai. Apple has an automotive program known as Project Titan, which has been in the pipeline since 2014, with the iPhone maker targeting 2024 to produce passenger electric vehicles with a breakthrough battery technology.

Like Apple, Xiaomi is one of the world’s biggest smartphone producers and it also makes a range of gadgets including home security cameras, electric shavers and toothbrushes, light bulbs, watches and scooters.

The Beijing-based company is joining the electric vehicle frenzy where Tesla, Nio and Volkswagen are already flexing muscle. Tencent and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. are also said to be teaming up to build electric cars. EV sales in China may climb more than 50% this year alone as consumers embrace cleaner automobiles and costs tumble, research firm Canalys estimates.

The big players already dominating the EV market means Xiaomi will have to face tougher competition.

It took Elon Musk 17 years of struggle to turn the fate of Tesla into a sustained fortune-making company, which means, the gadgets and mobile device making company may take longer.

Its move however, underscores increasing interest in the industry as world leaders push to implement Paris Climate Accord.

“This industry is on the cusp of a $5 trillion market opportunity over the next decade,” Dani Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities wrote on the transformation of electric vehicle. “GM, Ford, and Volkswagen all jumping into the deep end of the pool on electric vehicles, it speaks to the massive pent up demand globally around electric vehicle technology on the horizon.”

The source said Xiaomi will outsource car assembly to contract manufacturers, a model it uses for its smartphones

Tech companies strategizing to grab a share of the new energy market are upping their partnership ante with carmakers. The strategy cuts the cost for them as it means capitalizing on the huge potential market for software application such as autonomous driving.

A source told Bloomberg that Lei led a review of the EV industry’s potential several months ago and a final decision to enter the arena was made in recent weeks. Xiaomi has already hired engineers to work on software to be embedded in its cars, the person added.

Xiaomi has risen to the top of China’s smartphone market, running internet services and making a range of cut-price home gadgets from rice cookers to robo-vacuums, as US’ sanctions brought its Chinese counterpart Huawei on its knees.

With idle fortune of 100 billion yuan cash at its disposal, the company aims a shot at a new adventure – electric vehicles. Lei said it will be “the last startup project in my career.”

In what seems like a sharp response to Intel’s move to regain its market position, major Taiwan computer chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) plans to invest $100 billion in the next three years in expanding its manufacturing capacity and supporting research and development, the company said Thursday.

The world’s biggest contract producer of semiconductors, TSMC said it anticipates faster growth thanks to long-term trends like the introduction of next-generation telecommunications and high-performance computing. The coronavirus pandemic, meanwhile, is revving up demand for electronic devices as the world relies increasingly on digitalization.

“TSMC is working closely with our customers to address their needs in a sustainable manner,” the company told AP in an emailed statement. It did not give further details about planned investments.

Intel, South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and other chip makers also have been boosting investments to meet rising demand and joust for market share in advanced semiconductors.

Last week, Intel announced plan to invest $20 billion to build two factories in Arizona and to open up its factories to outside customers, as demand for chips grows.

The move will directly challenge the two other companies in the world that can make the most advanced chips, Taiwan’s Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) and Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

It will also aim to tilt a technological balance of power back to the United States and Europe as government leaders on both continents have become concerned about the risks of a concentration of chipmaking in Taiwan given tensions with China.

TSMC makes processor chips for major brands like Apple Inc. and Qualcomm Inc. Surging demand pushed its revenue 18% higher in January-February from a year earlier, it reported earlier. The company is predicting continued growth in demand for semiconductor technology as the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerates online activities.

“We are entering a period of higher growth as the multiyear megatrends of 5G and high-performance computing are expected to fuel strong demand for our semiconductor technologies in the next several years,” the company said.

Most semiconductors used in smartphones, medical equipment, computers and other products are made in Taiwan, South Korea and China.

TSMC operates a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Camas, Washington, and design centers in San Jose, California, and Austin, Texas.

It has announced plans to invest $3.5 billion in a second U.S. manufacturing site, in North Phoenix, Arizona, as concern grows over heavy American reliance on sources in Asia for high-tech components.

TSMC’s move will likely put a dent on Intel’s efforts to bounce back. Intel has watched its influence and market share in the semiconductor industry dwindled under the shadows of TSMC, Samsung, Nvidia and other chipmakers.

Last week’s announcement was Intel’s biggest move to break off the shackles and reinvent itself in a market increasingly being dominated by its rivals, following the appointment of their new chief executive Pat Gelsinger.

However, the shortage of semiconductor chips has opened new opportunity for growth for every company in the industry. Automakers are increasingly shutting down production as scarcity of chips persists. With the surging demand, every chipmaker has the potential to increase its supply chain.