Educational software company Instructure, dedicated to elevating student success and amplifying the power of teaching has partnered with Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University to provide a platform for the "Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 million Learners Global Initiative."

The ambitious program is powered by the Canvas Learning Management System and aims to offer quality online education from world-class accredited institutions in 40 languages, including Filipino, to learners across the globe.

The courses will be provided at no cost to the learner with women and girls accounting for 70 percent of enrollment worldwide.

"The Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative is exactly the type of global care initiative Instructure is excited and proud to put resources and time into supporting," said Steve Daly, CEO of Instructure.

In the Philippines, students and faculty members of top local universities, including the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and Our Lady of Fatima University are using Canvas LMS to expand online learning and support its teaching and learning community engagement.

"As leaders, we need to think globally about how we deliver first-rate equal access to education with a diverse range of student needs in mind. This global initiative is an engaging online program that offers the necessary flexibility and empowers forward-thinking leaders and educators worldwide. We are delighted to be a part of that kind of innovative actionable program," he added.

Francis and Dionne Najafi, both Thunderbird graduates, made an unprecedented $25 million donation to the Thunderbird School of Global Management earlier this year, and launched the "Francis and Dionne Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative."

The program provides world-class education to a population that previously could not access it, especially women and young learners. It continues through 2030.

"We believe access to education is a basic human right, which is why we worked with Thunderbird to create a global initiative that will educate 100 million learners worldwide," said Francis Najafi on behalf of him and his wife, Dionne Najafi.