Bybit partners with UNICEF to empower girls’ education in East Asia and the Pacific

16 AUGUST 2021 – Today UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand and cryptocurrency exchange Bybit announce the continuation of their partnership, which will support children’s digital learning and STEAM in Viet Nam and further education programmes in East Asia and the Pacific region.

“Cryptocurrency combines finance and technology in a recipe for change, and into a source for hope. We at Bybit are staunch advocates for crypto to play a larger role in creating a level playing field and be a force for good. We’re proud to pledge US$800,000 in Bitcoin over two years to help support UNICEF’s work in providing equal access to education,” says Bybit’s co-founder and CEO, Ben Zhou.

“As Bybit continues to expand globally, we recognise the importance of giving back and supporting the next generation, particularly children in low-income countries,” says Zhou. “We are honoured to continue to partner with UNICEF to ensure young people can keep learning and secure the skills they need to help build a better future.”

Funds will support extensive research on digital literacy for girls across the region, which is critical as the impact of Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt learning for millions of children. Additionally, the contribution will enhance, scale up and implement a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education pilot focused on girls in a remote, mountainous province in Viet Nam.

UNICEF Viet Nam’s Chief of Education, Simone Vis, says that climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic are exacerbating gender and other inequalities – and disproportionately affecting women and girls in the country. Many children are unable to access quality education and the pandemic has illustrated a significant digital divide.

“As UNICEF works with the Government and partners to respond to these crises, STEAM knowledge and skills are urgently needed. Girls and women play a valuable role in science and technology solutions which will save lives and increase economic growth." says Vis. “There is a renewed urgency to support children, particularly girls with digital learning, especially in STEAM subjects. Innovative solutions are paramount to ensure no child is left behind.”

One of those innovative education solutions is the use of Augmented and Virtual Reality, as it will empower marginalised girls to learn by directly engaging with their STEAM subject matter through gamification and immersive interactive experiences. They will develop the skills they need to become users, shapers and creators of scientific knowledge and new technologies. Girls will then gain a greater ability to choose the skills they want to learn and how to apply them, empowering them to contribute to a gender-equal world.

During 2020 lockdowns, UNICEF estimates that 80 million children in East Asia and the Pacific were unable to access any form of learning. Michelle Sharp, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand’s CEO says “UNICEF will continue to find innovative solutions to digitally transform education systems and embrace technology to provide richer and more diverse learning opportunities for children. The generosity shown by Bybit will have significant long-term impact, ensuring the hardest to reach children have greater opportunities, earning potential and employment later in life.”

The funds for the pledged donation will come from Bybit’s corporate contribution and a portion of the prize pool of two editions of Bybit’s annual cryptocurrency trading competition, the World Series of Trading (WSOT). The first is starting in August 2021, and the second in 2022. (bybit.com/wsot2021).

About Bybit

Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in March 2018 to offer a professional platform where crypto traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, excellent customer service and multi-lingual community support. The company provides innovative online trading services and cloud mining products, as well as API support, to retail and professional clients around the world, and strives to be the most reliable exchange for the emerging digital asset class.

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