BEIJING, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through the Qualcomm^® Wireless Reach^™ initiative, and China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF), a nonprofit charity organization in China committed to resolving youth welfare issues, today announced their collaboration on the Qualcomm 21^st Century Classroom program, a mobile broadband-based learning program that supports the Chinese government's use of information and communications technologies (ICT) to modernize education and reduce poverty.

The program is a multipronged education intervention that meets the priorities of the State Council's national "Three Connections, Two Platforms" plan. It supports the work of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Poverty Alleviation Office (PAO) by helping increase teaching and learning capacity in Sichuan Province.

The Learning Program was announced during a ceremony in which Qualcomm signed memoranda of understanding with two county governments in Sichuan Province – the People's Government of Guang'An District, Guang'An City and the People's Government of Yilong County, Nanchong City. Attendees included Qualcomm senior executives, MOFCOM officials, local country leaders and CCTF leadership.

This Wireless Reach-funded program supports the development of a cutting-edge, 21^st century learning environment in selected classrooms at Guang'An Second Middle School in Guang'An District, and Meng Ya Primary School and Wen Xing Middle School in Yilong County. The schools are located in government-designated poverty-stricken areas.

The program will deploy advanced ICT to improve teaching and learning, ultimately benefitting approximately 200 teachers and 4,000 students ages 7 to 15.  All classrooms in the participating schools will be provided with broadband Internet connectivity, electronic smartboards, 3G/4G-enabled mobile tablets for teachers and access to educational materials.  Students in several classrooms will receive 3G/4G enabled mobile tablets that will give them access to enhanced educational materials as well as convenient communication with teachers, mentors and fellow students. The program will also link to the Sichuan provincial and municipal educational portals.

Many elements of the 21^st Century Classroom program will be ready for teachers and students in September.

"China Children and Teenagers' Fund is deeply honored to have a continuing relationship with Qualcomm, a world leader in mobile technologies, and we are excited about leading the implementation of the 21^st Century Classroom program in Sichuan Province," says Zhao Donghua, Deputy Director General of CCTF. "We are optimistic about this program's success and its potential for expansion to other counties and provinces throughout China."

"China Children and Teenagers' Fund is a renowned charity foundation in China. Qualcomm is proud to collaborate with China Children and Teenagers' Fund in support of the Chinese government's efforts to use ICT to improve the education system and reduce poverty," said Steve Mollenkopf, Chief Executive Officer, Qualcomm Incorporated. "Wireless Reach has been working since 2006 on programs that use Qualcomm's advanced wireless technologies to assist underserved areas throughout China. To date, these programs have directly or indirectly benefitted nearly 850,000 people. The 21st Century Classroom program is part of our commitment to the Chinese government's goals of reducing poverty through improvements in education."

About China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF)

China Children and Teenagers' Fund is the first independent, nonprofit charity organization in China. It was established in 1981 by individuals dedicated to resolving youth welfare issues. CCTF operates under the governance of the All-China Women's Federation and the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China. In order to reach out and build a better future for China's children, CCTF's mission is, and has always been, to care for, foster, and educate children and teenagers in China, especially in minority and impoverished regions. For more information, please visit http://en.cctf.org.cn/.

About Qualcomm and Qualcomm Wireless Reach 

Qualcomm believes access to advanced wireless technologies can improve people's lives. Qualcomm Wireless Reach is a strategic program that brings wireless technology to underserved communities globally. Wireless Reach invests in projects that foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning and improve environmental sustainability. For more information, please visit www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach.

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm's licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm's engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 30 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other.

For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Qualcomm and Wireless Reach are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. 

Qualcomm Contacts:

Tina Asmar, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com

Warren Kneeshaw, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com

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SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated