Lanka to benefit from Intel's World Ahead Programme
by Elmo Leonard
Sri Lanka, because of its smallness, manageability and many areas
which could be improved, has drawn the attention of Intel's World Ahead
Program, of driving the charter of digital inclusion across the world.
This we learned, when, Intel Corporation, launched its World Ahead
Program, in Sri Lanka, last week, just as it does worldwide. And, Chris
Thomas, chief strategist, Intel Corporation, and architect of the
project, was in Colombo. "We want to bring you into the new program and
marry it with the best technology," Thomas said.
Intel Corporation, Santa Clair, USA, in the next five years is
committed to spend over $1 billion, across the globe, in accordance with
potentiality, to speed access to uncompromised technology and education
for people in the world's developing communities.
Intel wants to assist its emerging markets, and help itself,
interpreted in commercial parlance as social benefit. And, benefit to
the Third World, it is, when the lives of people are enhanced.
One way is through assessibility: This includes creating
opportunities for widespread ownership and use of PCs through
affordability, access and content including the development of fully
featured "affordable PCs" tailored to regional needs.
Connectivity: Expanding wireless broadband Inernet access by
cultivating the required ecosystems and encouraging deployment,
including the broad promotion of WiMAX trials and deployments.
Education: Preparing students for success in the global economy
through education programs and resources, including professional
development for teachers worldwide. Content: enriching the experience of
connected computing.
Managing Director of Intel (South Asia) R. Sivakumar said that Intel
is committed to providing uncompromised technology to all nations,
communities and people the world over.
While affordability of PCs is crucial, the World Ahead Program goes
beyond the simple cost to develop the suitable systems to local needs,
drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capability, and
provide quality education needed to make a difference in the lives of
people.
Intel's past investments included the eSri Lanka PC, jointly launched
with ICTA - Information and Communication Technology Agency in 2005.
That initiative made PCs available at low monthly instalments and has
met with success, Sivakumar said.
Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Ariyaratne Hewage, said that
the ministry had taken into account the broad spectrum of education,
including policy, teacher-training, infrastructure, student usage models
and interfaces. The ministry will announce initiatives in these areas
shortly, he said.
Manager of Intel Sri Lanka, Indika De Zoysa said that Sri Lanka will
benefit from Intel's World Ahead Programme by fostering public-private
partnerships and bringing value to these corporate social responsibility
initiatives.
Technology will make our country globally competitive. Judging by the
success of earlier assessibility efforts, the ministry plans to bridge
the digital divide and make a difference in the lives of Sri Lankans.
Intel, is claimed the world leader in silicon innovation, develops
technologies, products and initiatives to continually improve the lives
of people, and how they live.
Chief of Dialog Broadband Vajira Jayasinghe said that already a Y Mix
network was in use in six cities in Sri Lanka. The aim is to connect
some distant schools to the digital bridge and provide distant
education, with broadbased screens.
The building of a Y Mix network to most cities, and with it to most
parts of Sri Lanka will begin by end-2007.
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