Bridging the digital divide: Cross-sector insights for scaling school connectivity

On Thursday, 5 June 2025, the Giga Research Lab—a partnership between Giga and the University of Geneva—together with Giga and the Geneva Innovation Movement, will host an event titled Bridging the Digital Divide: Cross-Sector Insights for Scaling School Connectivity.

The gathering will bring together representatives from government, international organisations, academia, and the private sector to examine how innovation and collaboration across sectors can contribute to expanding school connectivity worldwide by 2030. The event is set against the backdrop of an urgent global challenge: nearly half of the world’s schools remain without internet access, leaving over 500 million students without meaningful opportunities.

The evening will feature the presentation of research conducted by Master’s students from the University of Geneva, focusing on the key barriers and potential enablers for scaling connectivity solutions at national and international levels. Following the presentations, a panel composed of stakeholders from diverse sectors will discuss the findings and reflect on practical pathways forward. The panel discussion will be followed by an open Q&A session to encourage broader input from attendees.

The event will conclude with a networking apéro and a student-led poster showcase. This portion of the programme will highlight regional case studies and strategic recommendations identified during the research process, providing an informal space for further dialogue among participants.

Participation is open to invited guests.