In 1988, as a 7-year-old navigating a turbulent education system amidst a military coup, I experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing quality learning. Fast forward to 2021, as a mother of a 7-year-old and an EdTech entrepreneur, I faced similar challenges but from a different perspective—working to solve systemic educational inequities under the shadow of another military coup.
This talk reflects on the stark parallels between two historical moments, highlighting the persistent global challenge of mismatched resources—millions of students lacking access to quality teachers and tools. With the population of young learners growing rapidly in developing nations, the need for scalable, tech-driven educational solutions has never been greater.
Drawing on experiences from founding 360ed, a mission-driven EdTech startup, I'll explore how emerging technologies like AR and AI are democratizing access to learning. Despite political instability, disruption, and displacement, the mission to empower over half a million learners in underserved communities continues. Together, let's envision a future where education transcends adversity and geography.