The program offers students on different continents the opportunity to learn from researchers in environmental sciences from several countries and perspectives, as well as contribute to lively discourse and debate through Internet and mobile phone interaction.

As part of the program, Ericsson is providing smart phones fully equipped with video cameras, audio recorders, and Internet capability. Ericsson will also support the program by leveraging its relationships with mobile operators in Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa to help Stanford and others implement an environmental eLearning program. This program involves faculty and students from the University of the Western Cape in South African, Mweka College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania, and Makerere University in Uganda.

The international mobile learning project, given the Swahili name "Dunia Moja" or "one world," utilizes a GPRS or 3G mobile connection and an Internet-enabled mobile handset from Sony Ericsson to allow students and faculty in remote locations to submit and access video, audio, and text-based course materials, participate in online discussion forums, post blogs, produce multimedia content, and otherwise interact as they learn.

"Ericsson is a leading enabler of broadband everywhere, which has a leveling effect on many social and economic rights, such as education, healthcare, and professional development," said Carl-Henric Svanberg, President and CEO of Ericsson. "We are pleased to collaborate on this cutting edge pilot program that studies how mobile technology can be used to bridge the digital divide. Building out the wireless infrastructure and leveraging Internet- and multimedia-enabled handsets for eLearning in Africa will help set the stage for future economic empowerment of the region."