Carnegie Mellon Alumna Works to Close Digital Divide

It’s hard for many of us to imagine life without our mobile phones, but just one in three people in the least developed markets have access to this technology.

That’s a problem—because the ability to get online through mobile phones has the potential to transform the lives of people in developing countries. From online textbooks to emergency medical advice, the Internet can bring much-needed services to people in some world’s most remote areas.

Dana Haidan, head of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at Vodafone Qatar and a 2009 graduate of CMU-Q’s business administration program, returned to campus this fall to share insights about the barriers and benefits of the mobile revolution. She spoke to faculty and students in Professor George White’s entrepreneurship class.

“Although cultural factors, physical barriers and lack of access to technology exclude many people from the communication revolution, Vodafone is working hard to extend the benefits of mobile to everyone—wherever and however they live. By working collaboratively with governments, industry bodies, NGOs, aid agencies and regulators we can increase their availability, and so truly democratize the mobile Internet, enabling millions more people to connect.” Haidan said.

Haidan shared several Vodafone initiatives, including Instant Network, which provides free communications and technical support to aid agencies and victims during disaster situations. She also spoke about Vodafone’s AmanTECH program, which helps parents keep their children safe online.

White, a distinguished career professor entrepreneurship, taught Haidan in 2009.

“I am pleased to see how Dana’s career is unfolding at Vodafone. Being socially responsible has always been one of the main themes of my classes and it warms my heart to see Dana making a positive difference in the workplace and in society at large,” he said.