Lanka gets faster technology from Intel project

Sri Lanka is to get immense benefits from a one billion-dollar ‘World Ahead Programme’ of the Intel Corporation to speed access to uncompromised technology and education for people in the world’s developing communities. People in the developing world face many unique challenges, including having limited access to technology. The Intel World Ahead Programme's mission is to provide greater accessibility to the world's underserved by rapidly creating access to fully capable, affordable PCs that are tailored to meet their needs.

In addition to developing specialized platforms, Intel is working with the Sri Lankan government to deliver affordable PC purchase programmes that give citizens and businesses easier access to Intel -based computers, as well as to develop localized content for the new users. This was disclosed by Managing Director of Intel (South Asia) R. Sivakumar at a press conference convened to announce the launch of World Ahead Programme in Colombo earlier this week.

He said that the World Ahead programme included the eSrilanka PC that Intel jointly launched with the Information Communication Technology Agency to make PCs available at extremely low monthly installments which has met with significant progress. Partnering with public and private organizations, Intel is driving WiMAX broadband deployments that will reach cities as well as suburban and rural communities that previously were either impossible or too costly for carriers to pursue. This system is now being implemented in the southern province connecting Galle and Colombo via WIMAX broadband. Intel World Ahead Program will connect more Sri Lankan children and adults to the Internet and to the rest of the world, Sivakumar said.

Secretary to the Ministry of Education Ariyaratne Hewage told newsmen that action has been taken to provide computer access to 2500 schools in the island and 50,000 teachers will get PCs by the end of this year. He added that discussions are underway on the entire spectrum of education, including policy, teacher training, infrastructure, student usage models and interface.

As part of the Intel World Ahead Programme, Intel will train an additional 10 million teachers over the next 5 years in developing communities on the effective use of technology in the classroom. The programme will also provide 100,000 free PCs to classrooms in those communities to improve learning skills.