UEPB

Paraíba State University launches “Connectivity Aid Program” to help students attend remote classes during pandemic

Watch “One minute introduction to UEPB Connectivity Aid Program” on Youtube.

Paraíba State University (UEPB) has created a new financial assistance program, which aims to ensure digital inclusion of socially and economically vulnerable students and to ensure their participation in online academic activities now offered due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Since March, UEPB has suspended on-campus activities as a way to contain the spread of COVID-19, moving them to distance learning platforms whenever possible.

The institution has offered two types of benefits through the “Connectivity Aid Program (Auxílio Conectividade)”. The first one provides a monthly stipend to cover broadband internet service expenses while online activities last due to the pandemic. The second type of financial aid consists of a lump sum to allow students to purchase appropriate equipment to attend remote classes and activities.

The program benefits almost 4000 students, and its implementation amounts to R$ 3.5 million Reais ($673.000 USD) allocated from from the university’s annual budget. These resources are coming from savings with daily expenses that were possible due to the suspension of several on-campus activities.

The institution makes a bold move in an unprecedented step concerning digital inclusion measures adopted by higher education institutions in Brazil. According to University Rector Rangel Junior, it is an essential initiative for students in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability. “Paraíba State University advances in its role as a public institution which is committed to its surroundings and to social inclusion at all levels”.

The procedure through which students were selected included an analysis of their condition of socioeconomic vulnerability. The university required a declaration from the students that they did not have access to internet and appropriate equipment for the development of online classes. It was also necessary to demonstrate that their families’ income per capita is lower than the Brazilian minimum wage.

This is not the first financial aid program created by Paraíba State University. The institution already provides grants to more than 5,500 students, distributed in many different categories such as: transportation, supply and housing assistances, research assistance and many others.