Apple and the Malala Fund Form Partnership for Girls’ Education

Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. realize / ˈri əˌlaɪz / (v) – to turn a goal into a reality
    Example:

    I hope my support can help the organization realize its vision of providing employment opportunities.


  2. open the door to (something) / ˈoʊ pən ðə dɔr tu / (idiom) – to provide an opportunity or possibility
    Example:

    The company’s new program has opened the door to career advancement.


  3. under wraps / ˈʌn dər ræps / (idiom) – to keep something a secret
    Example:

    The committee has decided to keep the exam results under wraps for a while to avoid competition among students.


  4. designate / ˈdɛz ɪgˌneɪt / (v) – to assign someone to a certain position
    Example:

    The company’s new president designated the former manager as one of the new executives.


  5. partake in / pɑrˈteɪk ɪn / (phrasal) – to participate in an activity
    Example:

    I will not partake in the event because I am feeling sick.


Article

Read the text below.

Tech giant Apple has teamed up with the Malala Fund to provide education for underprivileged girls.


During a personal visit to Oxford University in October last year, Apple CEO Tim Cook went to see 2014 Nobel Prize winner and education advocate Malala Yousafzai [MAL-la-la yoo-saf-zaey], who is currently enrolled in the university. The two then had a conversation and learned that they share the same vision of creating more opportunities for education. This resulted in a partnership between Apple and the Malala Fund, an organization founded by Yousafzai that aims to support the education of around 130 million out-of-school girls.


The partnership will help realize the said vision by opening the door to secondary education for at least 100,000 girls in India and Latin America. Although Apple has kept the amount of its investment under wraps, the company will also provide technology to aid curriculum and policy research. In addition, Cook will be designated as a member of Malala Fund’s leadership council.


Malala praised Apple for using its innovations for a good cause. She also expressed her gratitude for the tech giant’s decision to partake in her foundation’s advocacy.


This is not the first time that Apple has played a role in promoting education. In 1994, the company developed the Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE) to pay tribute to educators who utilize Apple technology to reinvent both teaching and learning. Additionally, in 2014, Apple donated $100 million to former President Obama’s ConnectED program. Their donation aimed to make high-speed broadband accessible to 99% of schools in the US and provide Apple devices to teachers and students.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Aside from providing education, what other educational initiatives can be implemented under the partnership? Discuss.
• If you were Malala, who else would you team up with to realize your vision? Why?

Discussion B

• What personal vision do you want to realize? Do you think it is possible to realize this vision?
• What do you think is the best way to help someone realize his/her vision? Explain.