South Korean mobile phone manufacturing company Samsung aims to foster a culture of innovative thinking and problem-solving among Cook Islands youth through the launch of design thinking innovative Solve for Tomorrow challenge.

Minister of Education Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd’s New Zealand representatives met and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the aim of promoting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Mathematics) and design thinking within Cook Islands senior secondary schools.

Mokoroa met with Samsung New Zealand president, Hyung Min Chun, agreeing to a five-year MOU designed to benefit students and teachers, centred on the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow activity.

In a statement, Mokoroa said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Samsung to mark a special milestone for education in the Cook Islands. This partnership is proof of our mutual commitment to providing the best possible educational opportunities for our senior secondary students.”

“The future belongs to those who can harness the power of STEAM, Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. This partnership with Samsung is timely, as we are in the midst of drafting the next education strategy for the Cook Islands.”

Chun said Cook Islands is an important nation within the South Pacific, and they are excited to partner with the government to help develop education outcomes for future generations through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.

“This five-year MOU is our long-term commitment to the Cook Islands to bring our Samsung Solve for Tomorrow activity to help empower the future generations.

“Personally, I’m proud that we are able to bring this special opportunity to make a meaningful difference to empower Cook Islands youth.”

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global competition that will challenge the Cook Islands next generation of innovators to unleash their creativity and use STEAM to find solutions for pressing local, or global, community challenges, the statement said.

Samsung has been working to roll out the Solve for Tomorrow project this year across the Pacific, and has already agreed rollout of the challenge in Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Tuvalu and Timor-Leste.