The South African Broadband Education Networks (SABEN) has disclosed it has connected over 600 000 students across more than 50 colleges and educational institutions since its inception in 2015.

SABEN is the technology and digital transformation organisation within the education sector. It is a non-profit dedicated to eradicating bandwidth poverty and driving digital transformation in schools nationwide.

Garth Scholtz, SABEN’s GM, disclosed this ahead of the TNC24, rated the globe’s largest and most prestigious research and education networking conference, being held in Rennes, France this week.

"We are honoured to represent South Africa and share our journey at this prestigious event," said Scholtz.

SABEN has been committed to bridging the digital divide in South Africa and empower students and educators through technology. By providing robust digital infrastructure and fostering technological integration in educational institutions, SABEN has transformed the learning experiences of hundreds of thousands of students, he noted.

“This conference is an excellent opportunity to showcase our achievements, learn from global counterparts, and further our vision of a digitally inclusive education system,” Scholtz added from Cape Town.

SABEN has strategic partnerships with tech leaders like MTN and Liquid Technologies, among others.

The TNC conference from 10–14 June, hosted by the National Research and Education Network of France, attracts a diverse audience of over 800 participants from more than 70 countries.