Intel reiterates commitment to World Ahead Program

Bangalore, Oct 20: Intel India has reiterated its commitment to enhance lives through the 'World Ahead Programme' announced earlier this year.

The programme had led multiple initiatives in the space of Accessibility, Connectivity and Education, which had gained momentum since its launch. Under the programme, Intel had increased the number of teachers trained under the Intel Teach programme to over 600,000, reaching out to over 31,000 schools nationally Intel said in a release here.

Intel had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maharashtra State Co-operative Societies Federation (MAFCOCS) and would reach out to 30 million account holders through MAFCOCS 80,000 credit societies nationally.

INTEL President and CEO Paul Otellini, during his visit to India on May 23 this year, had launched Intel's World Ahead Programme supported by a global investment of One billion US Dollar across the emerging countries including India.

The World Ahead Programme has the charter to drive digital inclusion in emerging countries, focusing progress in three areas.

Firstly, accessibility for creating opportunities for widespread ownership and shared access of afforbable PCs. Connectivity including the broad promotion of WiMAX trials and deployments and lastly, Education to prepare students for success in the global economy through education programs and resources, including professional development for teachers worldwide.

Reiterating its commitment to the World Ahead Program, Intel India has led multiple initiatives and introduced a number of new programmes during the last few months in these focus areas.

Intel in association with Microsoft India had taken up a collaborative venture, Gyan Jyoti, with the Uttar Pradesh Government. Focused on the Uttar Pradesh government employees, the programme works at ensuring affordable access to local language based PCs and that would be made available through attractive financing schemes.

To enable accessibility and connectivity it had taken up collaboration to drive reach to tier four and five cities andtowns.

Reliance Communication and Intel had announced a joint programme to offer instant and uninterrupted Internet connectivity with Intel powered PCs sold across Southern India. Users purchasing systems from Intel dealers would be offered Intel-powered PCs with Reliance wireless products to avail of Internet connectivity at speeds that far exceed today's dial-up speeds.

Intel had been selected as the chief technology and programme management consultant, by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to architect an 'Unwired Pune' by 2007. Through this endeavor, PMC proposes to deliver an easy, seamless internet connectivity solution to citizens, businesses and academic institutions.

Intel has also announced the launch of a WiMax chip to support mobile WiMax networks. Intel WiMAX Connection 2250 was, the company's first system-on-chip designed to support mobile WiMAX networks, which adds Mobile Support and advances fixed functionality.

On education front Intel has set up a school and developed community infrastructure in Arkaduthurai near Nagapattinam after the devastation caused by the tsunami in 2004 as a part of a two year community involvement project. This project aimed at providing necessary skills to the children, youth, and the community in general.

UNI