Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times: Asian Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact during COVID-19

ASIA BUSINESS COUNCIL HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 5 3 Lenovo (Mainland China) Extraordinary Endeavors in Turbulent Times management software LanSchool is equipped with thumbnail monitoring so teachers can keep an eye on what students are viewing on their screens. 14 According to Henderson, school administrators were less aware of cybersecurity issues before the pandemic. “Before it felt like this was an offering that we were talking to schools about, but there was not a lot of interest. Schools didn’t have a lot of room to add this in the budget.” But since the shift to online learning and a number of well-publicized cybersecurity breaches in educational institutions, school administrators started to see the value in Lenovo’s offerings. “Instead of pushing this solution into the market, it was a pull.” Esports as a Safe Form of Extra-curricular Activity during COVID-19 In a time of social distancing when extra-curricular learning is perhaps even more difficult to maintain than classroom learning, esports has gained traction as a way for students to safely participate in after-school activities and be connected with classmates during the pandemic. “This has been a huge area of concern for educators,” Henderson said. They are asking, “‘How do I stay connected and keep students healthy both emotionally and socially?’” North America has led the surge in interest in esports during the pandemic, but the trend is also growing in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region including Taiwan. The Lenovo Esports Solutions for Education provides the gaming equipment, tower devices, and mobile devices for esports. It allows students to “play from home with matchups and leaderboards to spur competition” and comes with “network and league management capabilities to maintain and optimize the experience for esports student athletes.” 15 Lenovo began investing in esports just before the pandemic. Henderson referred to research that shows how students involved in esports are more likely to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), an area where the U.S. faces a dearth of qualified graduates. Henderson also emphasized the other benefits of esports, such as the development of communication and teammanagement skills. Esports has gained traction as a way for students to safely participate in after-school activities during the pandemic