The Iridimi Digital Learning Centre (DLC), the first of its kind in eastern Chad, has opened its doors as a pivotal step toward empowering refugees and host communities through digital education.
Located in Africa’s fifth-largest country by land area, the centre was established through a partnership between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the government of Chad, with financial backing from Italy.
This innovative facility aims to bridge the digital divide by providing access to higher education, vocational training, and certified courses via accessible and accredited online platforms. Equipped with modern computers, reliable internet, and adaptable study spaces, the DLC offers a vital resource for around 400 refugees and young people from the local Chadian community.
Run in collaboration with Arizona State University and UNHCR, the centre’s mission is to facilitate online learning opportunities that enable young people to acquire valuable skills without having to leave their community.
“The establishment of a digital learning centre is a major step forward in modernising the educational system of the east,” said Professor Daouda Ahmat, rector of the Eastern Chad Academy.
Moreover, the Iridimi DLC will collaborate with international institutions such as Cisco Academy, the University of Geneva, and various national technical groups to offer courses in office tools, digital literacy, and network computing.
“By providing access to internationally recognised training within their own community, we are equipping them with the tools to learn, grow, and rebuild a better future,” said Dossou Patrice Ahouansou, UNHCR’s senior coordinator in the region.
