In order to support the younger generations and their goals, Samsung Electronics launched its Solve for Tomorrow program in 2010, a program helping young people utilize STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related skills to solve societal problems. The program began in the U.S. and has since expanded to 50 countries, with a total of 2 million students having participated.

Deniz Hatiboglu, Solve for Tomorrow program manager at Samsung Electronics America, paid a visit to Princeton High School in New Jersey, to commemorate the program’s 13th anniversary. As one of the winning teams in the 2021-2022 contest for their innovative food waste disposal project using insects, the team has continued to refine their ideas a year later.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Solve for Tomorrow program and the youth contributing to sustainable solutions.

The decisions have been taken after due consultations with various stakeholders in India and assessing the immediate needs of local administrations.

Samsung will donate USD 3 million to the Centre as well as to the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

In addition, to help the healthcare system that has been stretched over the last few weeks, Samsung will provide USD 2 million worth of medical supplies, including 100 Oxygen Concentrators, 3,000 Oxygen Cylinders and one million LDS syringes. These will be offered to the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

LDS or Low Dead Space syringes minimize the amount of drug left in the device after injection, optimizing vaccine usage. Existing products have a large amount of the vaccine remaining in the syringe after use. The technology has demonstrated up to 20% greater efficiency and if existing syringes were to deliver one million doses, LDS syringes could deliver 1.2 million doses with the same amount of vaccine. Samsung has helped the manufacturer of these syringes increase production capacity.

Additionally, as part of its people initiative, Samsung will cover the vaccination costs for over 50,000 eligible employees and beneficiaries in India, with an aim to safeguard their lives, as vaccine doses become available. This will also include all Samsung Experience Consultants, who work at electronics retail stores across the country.

At Samsung, employee health, safety and well-being are our absolute priority. To help employees and their families with information and access to medical supplies as well as hospital facilities and home-care, we have set up in-house facilities and teams across the country.

In April 2020, Samsung had contributed INR 20 crore to India’s fight against the pandemic. This included a donation to the Central government and support to local administration in Noida, where the Company had provided hospitals with medical equipment required in the preventive drive against the pandemic such as thousands of Preventive Masks and Personal Preventive Equipment (PPE) kits.

Samsung salutes all professionals working tirelessly on the frontline of this battle. The Samsung family, which includes our employees across India and our partners and their employees, stand together in this battle against Covid-19.

Samsung India Newsroom Link: https://news.samsung.com/in/

Launched in the US in 2010, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has become one of Samsung’s flagship educational programs, and has sparked creativity in 1.8 million students from across 23 countries during its eleven-year run.

Students participating in the program are afforded the chance to get involved in a range of educational experiences as they work to crystalize their ideas. Initiatives such as Design Thinking training (which is offered to participating teachers and students) and mentorships with Samsung employees are designed to nurture creative problem-solving, cooperation and communication skills among students.

The students’ innovative solutions often earn recognition on the global stage as well. For example, students from Dougherty Valley High School in California garnered attention from the Global Climate Action Summit after they designed a device that detects early-stage wildfires.

And Solve for Tomorrow is set to expand even further this year to reach students across more than 30 countries. The program, which used to be known by different names in different regions, is now globally standardized under a single brand name and has undergone changes to provide a more refined curriculum to every student. As even more countries join up, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow in Europe and Latin America have been receiving applications since March while programs in other regions are preparing to launch according to local academic calendars. To find out more, check out Samsung’s Global Corporate Citizenship Website and the Solve for Tomorrow website for your region.

Under Samsung’s guiding CSR vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People,’ Solve for Tomorrow and many other youth education programs are operating in a broad range of regions. Going forward, Samsung will continue to provide quality education for future generations to help them unleash their full potential and find innovative solutions to benefit the world.

Kusum, a Nepalese student, recites a poem she wrote to her friends about overcoming difficulties and pursuing your dreams. She says her experience at the Samsung Employee Volunteer Program-run design school opened up paths that she “had never dreamed of”

The Journey to Better Educational Opportunities

‘People’ have always been central to Samsung’s philosophy. Alongside the priority that is ‘people’, nurturing talent and harnessing innovation and collaboration to build a better world are other values that Samsung holds dear.

Samsung understands the importance of economic development for emerging nations. However, it also knows that once a country starts benefitting from that development, it is important to ensure that as many people as possible benefit from the new opportunities that are generated as a result.

Since the 1990s, Samsung has been investing in programs to support children from low income families through the Samsung Welfare Foundation. This foundation supports youths – the leaders of tomorrow – while establishing an environment in which women can continue to work, safe in the knowledge that their children are being taken care of. It has facilitated access to quality education for children, and provided young people in need of financial support with self-reliance funds to allow them to focus on their education.

Samsung, which promotes organizational public welfare programs through the Samsung Welfare Foundation and Samsung Life Public Welfare Foundation, created an organization dedicated to Corporate Citizenship in October 1994 to help it invest more in CSR activities. Since then, Samsung has implemented a range of programs to promote social welfare in domestic and international communities, and brought social welfare experts onboard to help streamline its efforts. In 2007, Samsung established ‘Happy Together’ as the objective statement for its CSR activities, with ‘hope’, ‘harmony’ and ‘humanity’ as the main keywords for its vision. It proceeded to launch a number of activities to instill hope in young people, such as its financial support program for children, study room program, and scholarship program.

Visual Identities of some of Samsung’s CSR initiatives: ‘Light of Love, Sharing Star’ (1995) and ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’ (2019)

Based on its enthusiasm for social responsibility, Samsung has devoted itself to nurturing the technology leaders of tomorrow by sponsoring apprenticeship contests both domestically and internationally. In 2012, Samsung launched its Dream Class program, an extracurricular academic program for middle school students, and in the process demonstrated its will to focus more on youth education.

Samsung has also been launching educational programs around the world that take the diverse range of environments seen in different communities into account. For example, Samsung supported Vietnamese schools by replacing their old desks and chairs and provided Thai, Indian, Filipino and other Southeast Asian youths the opportunity to experience advanced digital technology via the ‘Samsung Digital Hope’ program. The company has also nurtured potential track and field athletes in Kenya through the ‘Dream Tree’ project.

Realizing Potential – From Elementary Students to Job Seekers

In February 2019, Samsung announced its new CSR vision, ‘Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People’, the goal of which is to empower future generations to achieve their full potential, pioneer positive social change and build a better world for all. Samsung understands that it has a responsibility to foster the development of the future leaders who will help their communities overcome the challenges brought about in the rapidly changing 21st century.

To build a future where all young people can realize their full potential, regardless of their circumstances, Samsung launched its Corporate Citizenship website and took action on its goals by shifting its Corporate Citizenship focus towards domestic and overseas youth education programs. Let’s look at how Samsung’s Corporate Citizenship activities are aiming to provide youth with the chances to receive quality education and benefit from new experiences.

Participants in the 2019 US Samsung Solve for Tomorrow program (Above). The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow US online program for 2020 (Below)

Watching your own original idea being realized is a priceless experience. Thus, ‘Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’, a creativity contest in which young people come up with their own creative solutions to address real life issues, allows young people to do just this. This program aims to enhance the problem-solving abilities of youths to induce positive social transformation.

The ‘Samsung Innovation Campus’ program offers training to young people seeking employment. Based on the success of the previously run ‘Samsung Tech Institute’ initiative, Innovation Campus was launched in October 2019 to provide young people with opportunities to learn about core technologies and help them advance into high-potential industries via global ICT training programs. Domestic programs that play a similar role exist in select markets as well.

Seema, who got a job as an engineer after attending the Samsung Technical School, has become a beacon of hope for others in India, where many women still do not receive an education

‘Samsung Smart School’ is a series of initiatives that utilize Samsung devices and content to provide quality digital education to students around the world with insufficient educational prospects and poor information accessibility. As of the end of 2019, more than 3.8 million students have benefited from the program.

By harnessing a wide range of channels and means, Samsung is constantly providing precious learning opportunities to the young people of the world through its diverse array of Corporate Citizenship programs.

Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People

The future will only be bright as long as the young people of today are equipped to lead us into it. Thus, Samsung dreams of a future in which the youth of the world are empowered to build a better world where we can all thrive together.

Today, on United Nations International Youth Day, let’s all reflect on the reasons for this day and unite under Samsung’s vision of ‘Together for Tomorrow!’

Akshay, a student of JNV Chandigarh, wants to become an engineer

Nineteen-year-old Akshay became a hero among his classmates at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Chandigarh, when he topped the 10th board examination in 2015. He hopes to repeat his performance in the upcoming 12th standard board examination next year.

Akshay attributes his transition from a “backbencher” to an outperformer to the introduction of digital education in his school three years ago.

“I used to be a mediocre student, but I felt attracted towards studies when Samsung Smart Class was introduced in our school. The class is beautiful and well-maintained, there’s a big LED screen and I had a laptop. I loved it. I think, it is one of the big factors behind me getting a perfect 10 CGPA in my 10th board examination.”

Samsung launched its Smart Class programme in collaboration with JNV schools in 2013. Every Samsung Smart Class is equipped with an interactive Samsung Smartboard, Samsung laptops/tablets, Wi-Fi connectivity and power backup.

Samsung Start Class in JNV Chandigarh

The digital environment in Samsung’s Smart Class not only helps students learn complicated concepts easily, but also encourages them to participate in classroom discussions.

“Students are always curious and interested to come to Samsung Smart Class. It makes teaching easier and there is a great deal of interest to learn new things.” says Anup Kumar, who teaches Mathematics at JNV, Chandigarh.

Mrs. Santosh Sharma, the Principal of the school, says the concentration level of students has gone up, their concepts have become clear and they are overall more confident.

“My students are showing more interest in academics and asking more questions in the class.” she added.

JNV Chandigarh Principal Mrs. Santosh Sharma says the number of toppers is on the rise

In 2015, JNV notched Chandigarh notched up its best performance in 10th class board examination, with as many as five students getting a perfect score. The number of students in the top A1 and A2 categories has also gone up since the introduction of digital education, according to Mrs. Sharma.

JNV Chandigarh is home to over 500 students from across the country

“We want our classes to be interesting, where we can watch, listen and understand different concepts. Samsung Smart Class proved to be of great help. It made studies easier helped us understand concepts and get answers through video conferencing too,” says Simran, who is one of the five JNV students who got a perfect 10 CGPA in 10th standard.

Simran used a laptop for the first time, when Samsung Smart Class was introduced in JNV in 2013

Samsung Smart Class supplements regular lessons in mathematics, science and social science to explain concepts in an engaging and interactive manner. Now, many teachers have started preparing their own digital course material, so that students get a better grasp of all subjects.

“I have been using Samsung Smart Class to take the students through epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. Samsung Smart Class has caught the imagination of children. Students are attentive even in the absence of teachers in the class,” said Rajesh Kumar, who teaches Hindi at the school.

It’s not only academics, where Samsung’s flagship citizen programme is making a difference. The digital environment at JNVs has helped students develop keen interest in extra-curricular activities, such as quizzing and Olympiads, teachers say.

The smart class also doubles up as a computer lab because of good internet connectivity and state-of-the-art equipment, teachers say.

“Samsung Smart Class helps me think beyond the box and expand my thinking,” said Utkarsh, who wants to become an astrophysicist.

Utkarsh attributes his keen interest in Physics and Astronomy to innovative courseware in Samsung Smart Class

Samsung Smart Class runs in over 373 JNV schools and has benefitted over 2 lakh students. Over 7,400 teachers have been trained on how to use interactive technology to teach.

“We are elated with the phenomenal success of our flagship citizen program in India. This initiative is closely tied with India’s development agenda, and implemented in close partnership with government departments to ensure wider reach and impact among the less-privileged children,” said Mr. Deepak Bhardwaj, Head of Citizenship at Samsung India.

Samsung Electronics and its partners, Thailand Association of the Blind, SE-ED Book, AIS and SCB, joined hands in developing the Read for the Blind application. Books have historically been considered the main source of knowledge and entertainment. Sadly though, the blind or people with visual impairment cannot enjoy books in the same way as those with full sight. There are currently more than 700,000 visually-impaired people in Thailand. In a bid to empower their learning and fulfill their dreams.

This innovation offers a very convenient way for Thais to help create audio books and articles for the visually impaired. They can not only read the books for the blind via the app anytime, anywhere. It is also the first time that the application provides online communities between the blind and the audio book contributors can communicate. Since its launch, the number of audio books available on the app has risen to 12,000 during the past year. Following the success of the initiative so far, Samsung and its partners is launching the Read for the Blind 2015 project, which is calling on all Thais to help change the lives of blind people for the better. The new iteration of the project includes an improved app with features to enhance the reading experience.

Sitthichoke Nopchinabutr, Strategic Vice President, IT and Mobile Communications at Thai Samsung Electronics said, “We are building on the success of the original Read for the Blind project, which we launched 2013. The application is designed to allow Thais to create audio books and articles anytime, anywhere via their smartphones or tablets, and has received a very good response. This year, we therefore have decided to give Thais additional opportunities to show their good hearts and the power of virtue. Via Samsung’s new initiative, they can prove that the voice is so meaningful and can be a guiding light to the blind.

“Read for the Blind 2015 is bringing volunteers together for the first time to read audio books and articles via the app. More than 1,000 volunteers have registered to join the project. They will read the compilation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal addresses and advices. The compilation, which is entitled “Kham Por Sorn” (Guidance by Father), presents His Majesty’s ideas about how to live with happiness and sufficiency. The volunteers in the project will also read the compilation about His Majesty’s achievements. This second collection is called “Dhamma Dee Tee Por Tham” (Dhamma that Father Observes) and it tells of the contributions that His Majesty has made for his people and his country throughout his reign. As part of the project, we invited Dr. Jitra Dudsdeemaytha and DJ Chow Chow (Chawalit Srimankongtham) to serve as voice coaches. DJ Chow Chow will teach all volunteers about how to warm up their voices so that they can give clear, accurate pronunciation for the project’s quality audio books.”

Natvut Amornvivat, a representative from Thailand association of the Blind, one of the key people behind the launch of the Read for the Blind application, said, “It’s great that the visually impaired can access audio books and articles more easily via the Read for the Blind application, which also makes it more convenient for people to help produce audio books and articles. Now, we have created Read for the Blind 2015 – the improved version. It comes with two new interesting features: Networking and Clear Pronunciation. The Networking function allows the blind and audio book contributors to communicate to each other. The feature allows app users to comment on audio books they have listened to. Also through this feature, the volunteers can invite their friends to join them in voicing a book so that they can complete it faster. Clear Pronunciation, meanwhile, lets book readers go back to a part whereby they detect a mispronounced word and correct it. This feature is designed to ensure that listeners will be able to enjoy the best audio books possible. Above all, the most significant improved feature is enabling the blind readers to listen to audio books via the Read for the Blind application on smart devices directly. The previous version only allowed users to listen to an audio book by calling the 1414 hotline.”

Nuwat Tatu, a visually impaired person who has learned the benefits of reading firsthand, said, “Reading has changed my life. I can get a bachelor’s degree and pass the entrance exam to get on my MA course because Ms. Maythavee helps by reading books aloud for me. Of course during my study, I get discouraged from time to time. But because of the support I’ve received from others, I am determined to study hard and pursue my dream of becoming a university lecturer one day. Many blind people have not yet had the opportunity I’ve received. So, I would like to encourage everyone to help create audio books via the Read for the Blind app. These audio books will help blind people to make friends, increase their knowledge, and find sources of empowerment. The books will help them to find the courage to step out to their new world. Audio books can really change lives for the better”

Maythavee Tassanasathienkij, an opportunity giver who has changed Mr. Nuwat’s life, said, “I am delighted and proud that by simply reading books aloud, I can make a positive impact on his life. To me, reading books for the blind changes the lives of not just listeners but also readers. I’ve myself come to understand the visually impaired better and my horizons have expanded. As reading books aloud is no difficult task, I would like to encourage everyone to join the effort to produce audio books and articles. These books can give a better life to so many people”.

The ‘Read for the Blind 2015’ project aims to increase the number of audio books or articles by 10,000 before the end of March, 2016, from the existing 12,000 today. Believing that all Thais are kind and helpful, Samsung Galaxy would like to invite everyone to join the project. Through this Read for the Blind app-enabled initiative, participants will contribute to making thousands of lives better.

The Read for the Blind app is free to download. It is available via both the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. For updates about the project, visit www.facebook.com/readfortheblind.