About Universal Learning Solutions

Gary Foxcroft is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), a non-profit organisation leading innovative foundational literacy initiatives across Africa. With more than two decades of experience in international development and education reform, Gary has directed large-scale partnerships with national and provincial governments to strengthen early-grade reading outcomes through evidence-based teaching and data systems. He has championed the integration of digital tools — such as the Universal Learning Portal — that enable real-time tracking of learner progress and encourage data-driven instructional support. His strategic leadership ensures that the Data-SMARTS technology solution is sustainable, scalable, and responsive to the needs of education systems across South Africa and beyond.

Dr Louise Jolly is the Co-Founder and Programmes Director at Universal Learning Solutions, where she leads research, monitoring, and large-scale implementation of literacy and numeracy improvement programmes. Holding a PhD in Education with a focus on Early Grade Reading (EGRA), Dr Jolly specialises in measurement design, statistical modelling, and psychometric validation of learning data. She has extensive experience in data management, sampling, and automated cleaning of assessment data across multiple countries and has supported governments in developing and analysing foundational learning datasets to inform national policy. Within the Data-SMARTS initiative, she provides technical and statistical oversight — ensuring analytical precision, methodological rigour, and high standards of data integrity across all phases of the project.

Dr Daisy Reddy is a seasoned education leader and researcher with extensive experience spanning classroom teaching, curriculum authoring, teacher training, and policy development. She holds a PhD, MEd, and BEd, with her research focused on supporting learners with learning challenges through inclusive and evidence-based practices. Dr Reddy previously held senior roles within South Africa's Department of Basic Education, contributing to the design of the CAPS English Language Curriculum for Grades 1–3, the Birth-to-Four Curriculum, and frameworks for Special Needs Education. As Country Director for Universal Learning Solutions, she leads collaboration with provincial departments to enhance literacy outcomes through teacher support and digital monitoring tools. She has trained education officials and teachers on the effective use of the Universal Learning Portal in seven of South Africa's nine provinces, strengthening digital capacity and classroom implementation nationwide. In the Data-SMARTS project, Dr Reddy ensures contextual fit, curriculum alignment, and equitable implementation across South Africa's provinces.

Frederick Osarobo is a specialist in education technology systems, digital infrastructure, and data-driven learning solutions. At Universal Learning Solutions, he leads the technical design and implementation of digital platforms that enable large-scale literacy programme delivery and real-time performance tracking. Frederick has played a central role in supporting the rollout of the Universal Learning Portal across all states in Nigeria, as well as in Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania, providing critical expertise in system architecture, device integration, and user support at scale. His experience ensures robust, interoperable technology solutions that meet local contexts while maintaining global best practices. Within the Data-SMARTS initiative, he will guide the technical setup, data management pipeline, and platform scalability across provinces.