Intel partners with govt on various fronts

Intel will work with MoCIT to develop computing platforms to address
affordability, local infrastructure conditions and community usage models

Chip manufacturer Intel and Ministry of Communications and Infor-mation
Technology (MoCIT), government of India have signed a joint statement of
partnership outlining the next phase of collaboration which aligns with minister
of commu-nications and IT Dayanidhi Maran's ten point agenda, under the broad
areas of reaching IT to the masses, inve-sting for technology compe-titiveness
and education PC proliferation in the rural areas and also reduce the digital
divide between the rural and urban areas.

Joint secretary on behalf of Department of IT M Madhavan Nambiar and Ketan
Sampat, president, Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd on behalf of Intel signed the
statement in the presence Maran and Craig R Barret , CEO, Intel Corporation

In order to empower and enable rural citizens partici-pate in the information
revo-lution, Intel will work with MoCIT to develop appropriate computing
platforms to address issues of affordability, local infrastructure conditions
and community usage models.

MoCIT and Intel will work jointly to make broadband wireless technologies (WiMAX)
an affordable and viable last mile option for rural service delivery. To
encourage adop-tion of PCs by the general population, the partners will work on
a special PC ownership program. Modalities of the scheme would be worked out to
ensure that citizens get the benefit of superior technology at competitive
prices and financing options.

MoCIT and Intel will also establish an Open Source Resource Center to provide
technical assistance and sup-port to government projects on open source
platforms.

In order to maintain the country's edge in spawning a world-class talent
pool and provide an R&D thrust, Intel will work on curriculum des-ign,
especially in the area of Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits (VLSI), faculty
develop-ment workshops and research collaborations.

Intel has already trained 3,30,000 teachers in India under the Teach to the
Future program and has a plan to continue to scale it up further.

MoCIT will help scale the Intel Learn Program through State governments and
other appropriate organizations. To ensure interoperability and a coordinated
and systematic approach in reaching ICT to schools, MoCIT will help evolve a
Policy for Internet and ICT enhancement in Education.

Intel has been deeply imp-ressed by the strong educa-tional heritage of India
and its engineering and design capabi-lities. Intel indicated that they are in
the process of evaluating potential sites in some coun-tries including India for
setting up of an Assembly Test Manu-facture (ATM) plant.

Earlier in the day, Barrett also announced memoranda of understanding with
state governments of Uttaranchal, Kerala, and Karnataka. These MoUs focus on
extending tech-nology to rural masses, impro-ving education and helping bridge
the digital divide. "Tech-nology is already transforming lives in India,
improving edu-cation and fueling economic growth," he informed.

CyberMedia News

New Delhi