Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, attends an education theme luncheon at the China Development Forum in Beijing on Sunday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Apple Inc announced on Sunday a new donation to the China Development Research Foundation to expand training programs for rural teachers, bringing its total support for causes across China to 350 million yuan ($48.3 million) since 2020.
The funding supports initiatives by CDRF, the China Foundation for Rural Development, Zhejiang University, Tsinghua University and the China Green Carbon Foundation.
Apple stated that its donations across China largely focus on education — including teacher training, coding and skill building for students — along with economic and workforce development, rural community support, environmental sustainability and disaster relief efforts.
This latest contribution builds on Apple's partnership with CDRF, which began in 2018, and aligns with the company's broader efforts to support students and teachers in communities across China through technology.
"We have always believed education is a powerful force for opportunity," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
"Through our longstanding partnership with CDRF, we are committed to bringing new learning opportunities to rural communities across China. And we are excited to build on our work together, providing even more teachers with the tools and training to help students unlock their potential and gain critical skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow," he added.
During an education theme luncheon with Lu Mai, CDRF's adviser and former secretary-general, on Sunday, Cook said, "When you go into a classroom with great teachers and great technology, it's amazing to see the engagement. It really helps speed up learning. I have met some incredible students across China. They really care about the world and their surroundings and are constantly thinking about how they can enrich people's lives."
