Shaping the
Future of Education
Through Dialogue
Working towards a global education system that is more inclusive and better serves collective human flourishing.
DEFI’s vision is to create a more inclusive global education system by building a community that offers a space for open dialogue, research, knowledge creation, reflection and thought leadership on digital education’s role in shaping a sustainable future.
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DEFI has been selected as a finalist in the Transformation Impact category
at the Bett Awards 2025!
We’re thrilled that our sister project, the Yeltic/TIST mobile education app, developed by Yeltic, the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI), Cambridge, and The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST), has been recognized for its ground-breaking impact in educational technology.
What makes the app transformational?
It redefines learning access for under-served adult learners in rural communities across East Africa and Southern India by:
Bridging the education gap |
Providing quality, accessible education tailored for rural communities in the Global South. |
Offline functionality |
Designed for regions with limited internet access, it works seamlessly offline. |
Multi-language support |
Available in Swahili, English, and Tamil to break down language barriers. |
Localized AI-powered content |
Utilises AI to adjust video narration for local accents and language nuances. |
Low-power optimization |
Operates on low-power devices, ideal for areas with limited electricity. |
Scalable BYOD model |
Uses the widespread access to mobile phones, making it both sustainable and scalable. |
Currently deployed across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and India within TIST’s network of 250,000 farmers, this app is a powerful step towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development. It’s a testament to what’s possible when creative thinking and technology meet a real-world need.
What makes the app transformational?
It redefines learning access for under-served adult learners in rural communities across East Africa and Southern India by:
Bridging the education gap
Providing quality, accessible education tailored for rural communities in the Global South.
Offline functionality
Designed for regions with limited internet access, it works seamlessly offline.
Multi-language support
Available in Swahili, English, and Tamil to break down language barriers.
Localized AI-powered content
Utilises AI to adjust video narration for local accents and language nuances.
Low-power optimization
Operates on low-power devices, ideal for areas with limited electricity.
Scalable BYOD model
Uses the widespread access to mobile phones, making it both sustainable and scalable.
Currently deployed across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and India within TIST’s network of 250,000 farmers, this app is a powerful step towards poverty alleviation and sustainable development. It’s a testament to what’s possible when creative thinking and technology meet a real-world need.
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