BYJU’S SOCIAL IMPACT AND MESSI
BYJU’S has appointed football star and global sports icon Lionel “Leo” Messi as the fifirst global brand ambassador of its social impact arm, Education For All. This association is in sync with the expanding global footprint of BYJU’S and its commitment to make education accessible, equitable and affordable for all. At the recently-concluded Fifa World Cup 2022 in Qatar, BYJU’S made history by becoming one of its the offifficial sponsors.
BYJU’S sees Lionel Messi as ‘The Greatest Learner of All Time’ whose passion for continuous learning has redefined the meaning of what is possible in football. “We are honoured and excited to collaborate with Lionel Messi as our global ambassador,” says BYJU’S co-founder Divya Gokulnath. “He is a once-in-a-generation talent whose pursuit of excellence, all-in mentality, humility, and reliability resonate deeply with BYJU’S brand values… It is not really surprising that the greatest player of all time is also the greatest learner of all time. I am sure this partnership will inspire millions of people around the world to dream bigger and learn better. As football fans know, with Messi on your side anything is possible.”
BYJU’S launched its social impact initiative Education for All (EFA) in 2020 (byjus.com/educationforall/), with the aim to democratise education by ensuring that children across all economic backgrounds get equal access to quality learning opportunities. EFA serves to enable students from underserved and economically deprived communities with a better chance at upward social and economic mobility. With over 175+ partners like American India Foundation, United Way, Right to Live, Magic Bus, SOS, Save the Children, CRY and more across 400 districts in India, the programme has created a positive impact and reached over 5.5 million students in the last one year across the country. BYJU’S has also partnered with NITI Aayog to provide free access to its tech-driven learning programmes for children from “aspirational districts” of the country. Nearly 50 per cent of beneficiaries are girls.
“EFA was born out of our dream to cultivate an equal opportunity education ecosystem… Our technology-fifirst education tools helped us bridge the gaps widened by the pandemic,” says Divya. “With each passing day, the number of children continues to grow. It is heartwarming to know that we have been able to restore smiles on the faces of children.”