Features

Intel to Invest USD 1 Bln in Emerging Markets

By Sophia Mayengbam

To promote the use of computers for education and public utility in developing countries, Intel Corp. has announced an investment of USD 1 billion over the next five years. The initiative dubbed, the Intel World Ahead programs, outlines three strategies of increasing the availability of low-cost personal computers, expanding wireless broadband Internet accessibility and introducing more computers into the classrooms in underdeveloped and developing countries.

The 5-year objectives of the World Ahead Program are to extend broadband PC access to the world’s next billion users while training 10 million more teachers on the use of technology in education and with the possibility of reaching another 1 billion students.

Fig. 1: A Teacher Teaching a Classroom with the Use of a Computer in Rural India (Source: http://www.marymathaboyscottage.org/)

“Decades of providing technology in growing volume and at decreasing costs have driven great gains for developing nations, communities and people worldwide, but there is still much to do,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and chief executive officer. “While affordability of PCs is crucial, the World Ahead Program goes beyond simple cost to develop the right systems tailored to local needs, drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capabilities and provide the quality education needed to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Intel said the World Ahead Program integrates those efforts to accelerate their progress, multiply their effects and further extend their reach. For e.g., in its Discover the PC initiative that develops full-featured, low-cost PC technology tailored for people in developing regions, the company now plans to develop six more geographically tailored PCs designs worldwide in the next 2 years, following on the recently introduced Intel-powered Community PC in India.

Intel said it is continuing its efforts to grow the availability of WiMAX technology for low-cost broadband access. By combining the individual efforts in accessibility, connectivity and education, Intel also aims to create more opportunities to make fully featured PCs and high-speed Internet access available to schools in developing nations, along with training for teachers on how to integrate the technology into their teaching.

The company said to take the initiative forward, it is donating 100,000 PCs to classrooms in developing nations in order to improve teaching and learning.