EduBeyond is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization aiming to create an online tutoring platform to help minimize the educational disparity for K-12, on a worldwide scale. This student-volunteer-run organization is focused on youth helping youth while also creating a safe, accessible and free platform for students in need to comfortably discuss their concerns and get the tutoring help that they require. EduBeyond offers one-on-one personalized tutoring for various subjects, 24-hour schedule flexibility, comprehensive STEM lessons, and intensive English immersion tutoring. We spoke with the Founder, Alec Shi, to learn more about this organization.
Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.
EduBeyond is building an adaptive learning interface that accelerates the learning process in areas of English and technological literacy for youths in developing regions. The interface will be a centralized location for students to access expert-curated curricula and
AI-based learning tools. EduBeyond will be able to be incorporated into any existing classroom, which makes it scaleable beyond the borders and restrictions of internally hiring teachers.
What problem does it aim to solve?
EduBeyond aims to ensure equitable quality education and learning opportunities worldwide. Youths, especially those in underdeveloped/low-income regions, were significantly hindered in their education accessibility and quality due to financial and logistical constraints amidst the pandemic.
When did you start/join it?
I founded EduBeyond in June 2020, the summer before my senior year.
What made you want to get involved?
Amidst the pandemic, the transition into digital education proved difficult due to the lack of engagement and personalization. Additionally, marginalized youths could not receive the necessary support given added financial pressure of COVID-19. I wanted to create an optimal solution that integrates elements of personalization within online education that is affordable and effective for youths in low-middle income classes.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I started the organization, we primarily served youths within local school districts, where we most elicited help from student volunteers and high school teachers.
How has it changed since?
Since then, our operations have seen a global expansion, and we have helped over 5000 students in North America and Southeast Asia. Throughout the past two years, we have developed an adaptive learning interface that uses AI machine learning models with Cambridge-accredited educators.
Our work has led us to become a consultant for the EU’s delegation to Indonesia regarding the optimal funding allocation for developing public infrastructures within regions of interest. Additionally, our workshops regarding basic programming and rudimentary AI applications were certified by Indonesia’s ministry of education, which has continued serving youths nationwide.
What more needs to be done?
We are currently going through our adaptive learning interface’s first beta testing period, where the product is tested by contracted developers and various focus groups in Canada, the USA, and Indonesia. Additionally, we are mentored by professors and researchers from UBC, U of Toronto, and UC Berkeley regarding our business model and impact research.
How can our readers help?
We are always looking for Canadian students striving to make a social impact. EduBeyond has always maintained its student-led culture, and we hope to recruit the brightest Canadian youth to support our mission.
Do you have any events coming up?
We are recruiting students nationwide for our marketing departments as we aim to establish an advertising campaign during our product launch on November 15th, 2022.
Where can we follow you?
Additional information regarding EduBeyond can be found through our Linktree, where we have information such as founder profiles, past news features, and the website.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity/non-profit that you love?
One charity we love is the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, as they support the next generation of Canadian youths in establishing a global mindset through its abundance of opportunities such as academic exchange and internships. We are mentored by the organization’s first CEO, senator Yuen Pau Woo, who has been a pivotal contributor to EduBeyond’s success.
