Mobile Computing

Virginia Union U Mobile Learning Initiative Will Outfit Students with Apple Devices

• By Rhea Kelly
• 07/07/21

First-year students at Virginia Union University will receive a bundle of Apple products to support their education and success on campus. The historically Black institution is calling the Smart Campus initiative "Mobile Learning, Mobile Life," signifying the importance of preparing students for the "digital lifestyle and workplace requirements of the future," according to a news announcement.

"Creating a Smart Campus at VUU is critical to the academic learning environment of a 21st-century student. Apple has the products, apps and professional learning support that will allow our students to access books, classes and research materials at their fingertips," said Hakim J. Lucas, president and CEO of the university, in a statement. "Our collaboration goes much further than technology; Smart Campus will help as we prepare students to enter the workforce, putting them on the path to generational wealth."

Among the devices incoming freshmen will receive:

• iPad Air with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio, to access learning and campus services;
• Apple Watch, which will allow students to access campus facilities, buy food and more (via Student ID in Apple Wallet) as well as support campus health and wellness initiatives; and
• AirPods Pro, to facilitate access to online courses.

In addition, the university is providing all students with access to Apple's coding and app development curriculum, "to prepare them for technology careers post-graduation, and contribute to the growing number of students of color in STEM professions," the announcement said.

"The future of VUU depends on our students' success and how the members of our community stay relevant and innovative," said Allia L. Carter, executive vice president and COO of VUU. "We believe that our ongoing work with Apple will allow us to keep pace with a continually evolving global environment."