Intel earmarks US one billion dollars for education programmes

Bangalore, Apr 25 (UNI) Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, has earmarked US one billion dollar for education programmes in developing countries, Intel India President Frank Jones said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said after Philippines, India was the second country to receive huge fund under the programme launched in 2005.

The funds, mostly utilised for infrastructure development initially, were contributed by the employees, he said, adding more than 76 per cent of the employees were contributing towards the fund.

Mr Jones said, ''community volunteer work has always been a key part of the Intel culture worldwide. The VMGP creates a two-fold impact on education, first through employee engagement with schools and then by funding schools to enable better infrastructure and learning aid''.

Replying to a question, he said it was proposed to expand the program to Delhi and Mumbai.

Mr Jones said during 2006-07, the employees had contributed over 13,500 volunteer hours resulting in the Intel Foundation matching this with the cheque for Rs 15 lakh. Besides, Intel had also spent over Rs 15.5 lakh directly in organising event, programmmes and activities for schools.

Karnataka Education Secretary T M Vijayabhaskar, lauding the contributions made by Intel, called upon all the other Corporate companies to follow suit.

Earlier, Mr Jones presented a cheque of Rs 15 lakh to 17 government schools, and also to schools for special children in Karnataka.

UNI