UAE device donation campaign nears 100,000 target

A UAE campaign to collect and repurpose used electronic devices for students worldwide has reached 70 per cent of its target, organisers said on Sunday.

The “Donate Your Own Device 2.0” campaign aims to gather 100,000 devices, which are then refurbished and distributed to students in underserved communities around the world.

Launched by the Digital School in partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent, the campaign has attracted support from more than 140 organisations across the UAE, including government bodies, private companies and educational institutions.

Officials said the initiative is designed to expand access to digital education while also reducing electronic waste. Devices are collected, securely refurbished and either reused or recycled, depending on their condition.

Refurbished equipment has already been distributed to countries including Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Mauritania, as well as parts of Africa, helping to set up digital classrooms and support learning programmes.

The initiative will continue until the 100,000-device target is reached, with further calls for individuals and organisations to donate unused electronics through the campaign website or by sending an SMS to 2441 for &e subscribers, or 3551 for du subscribers.

Launched in 2023 during the UAE's Year of Sustainability, the "Donate Your Own Device" campaign has led to the reduction of CO2 emissions by  320 tonnes, saved more than 1.5 million kilowatts of energy, decreased fuel consumption by over 460,000 litres, and limited electronic waste equivalent to more than 90,000 square metres.

The Digital School, launched by His Highness Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE abd Ruler of Dubai, in November 2020, is the first accredited digital school of its kind. It has successfully reached more than 850,000 beneficiaries across 40 countries, offering educational programmes in seven languages in partnership with governments, international organisations and universities.