Initiative creates learning opportunities and inspires students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)

Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) has recently partnered with Academy Achievers, a not-for-profit organisation located in London, UK, to help close the digital and educational gap among students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. As part of its Digital Inclusion program, Ciena will provide 400 laptops for use by students at each of the 20 selected schools in the Newham and Lewisham boroughs.

“Ciena’s Digital Inclusion program seeks to bridge the digital connectivity, access and skills divide that exists in our communities. Working with Academy Achievers allows us to advance our shared mission to provide necessary digital skills for today’s world, while promoting equity and opportunity for students,” said Virginie Hollebecque, Vice President, EMEA, Ciena.

Academy Achievers helps underserved students from diverse backgrounds to socialise, learn and work together to critically solve problems through its immersive programs. The organisation is committed to equipping these students, especially women ages 14 to 19, with the confidence and skills needed to thrive in a digitally connected environment through educational equality. Academy Achievers’ collaboration with Ciena will allow these young women to explore the world of STEM related careers.

“Giving all children the opportunity to receive a quality education is the main goal of Academy Achievers. We work hard to provide our students with the tools and guidance they need to be confident in themselves, as well as succeeding in the world of STEM,” said Paulette Watson, Managing Director and Founder, Academy Achievers.

Additionally, Ciena will work with Academy Achievers to create mentorship sessions for the students with Ciena volunteers, and host hands-on training opportunities at Ciena’s local offices and state-of-the art lab facilities.

About Academy Achievers
Academy Achievers is an award winning non-profit organisation working to empower and engage children and young people nationally using STEM opportunities to invest in their creativity and culture which will bring social benefits, through digital skills it affords them, enables the economic growth that they generate, and creates a pipeline in building healthy, close-knit within their communities. For updates on Academy Achievers, follow us on Twitter @academyachievers LinkedIn, facebook, Instagram or visit www.academyachievers.co.uk.

About Ciena
Ciena (NYSE: CIEN) is a networking systems, services and software company. We provide solutions that help our customers create the Adaptive Network^TM in response to the constantly changing demands of their end-users. By delivering best-in-class networking technology through high-touch consultative relationships, we build the world’s most agile networks with automation, openness and scale. For updates on Ciena, follow us on Twitter @Ciena, LinkedIn, the Ciena Insights blog, or visit www.ciena.com.

Ciena’s Digital Inclusion Program
Ciena’s Digital Inclusion program aims to mobilize the company’s global workforce, leverage its innovation leadership, and collaborate with customers, suppliers and other partners to bridge the digital divide. Ciena has committed to fund $10 million (USD) over a five-year period on programming that promotes digital inclusion through greater connectivity, access to technology and digital skilling, with a goal of expanding opportunities for 100,000 underserved students in our global communities.

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