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Intel Expands Digital Accessibility and Education Initiatives in Nigeria

Discussion in 'Industry News' started by Guest-16, 1 Nov 2007.

  1. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    Intel Expands Digital Accessibility and Education Initiatives in Nigeria

    Telemedicine and Education Projects Launched by Intel Chairman Demonstrate Potential to Transform Millions of Lives

    ABUJA, Nigeria, Oct. 31, 2007 – Marking his first visit to Africa's most populous nation, Intel Corporation Chairman Craig Barrett announced a comprehensive set of digital inclusion projects aimed at improving education, healthcare and economic development for Nigeria's 140 million people.

    With the support of the Federal Ministry of Health, Barrett launched a pilot telemedicine project that brings critical pediatric care to a rural hospital serving a region of 4.5 million people. Barrett also announced that Intel has signed agreements with the Federal Ministry of Education to broaden several successful education initiatives, including training 150,000 teachers and donating 3,000 computers to schools.

    "Access to education and technology increases the opportunities for the people of Nigeria, "Barrett said."We are working closely with the government on education and health initiatives in hopes that they will deliver real results in economic development and in the standard of living of citizens."

    Barrett's trip is part of a worldwide "Expanding What's Possible" tour focused on digital accessibility and education. Barrett travels in his dual role as Intel Chairman and as chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Development, which has similar goals. Earlier this week, Barrett also took part in the Connect Africa Summit in Rwanda, which explored ways to bring the benefits of technology to the African continent. Accompanying Barrett on the trip was Bruce Sewell, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs. He leads Intel's world wide public policy and corporate social responsibility efforts such as the ones announced in Africa.

    Advancing Healthcare Through Telemedicine
    With Intel's support, doctors in Bida are now able to consult in real time with pediatric and surgical specialists in Abuja through the new telemedicine system, which features video conferencing and high-speed broadband connections through WiMAX, a long-range wireless technology. The pilot makes it possible for physicians to shorten both time and distance in getting to patients to treat them. The system connects one of Nigeria's flagship medical institutions, the National Hospital in Abuja, with the Federal Medical Centre in Bida, a rural 200-bed medical facility that's a four-hour drive away. Up to now, patients who needed referrals from Bida were forced to travel at least 250 kilometers to reach specialists — a trip most could not afford.

    Bida has an acute need for care from pediatric medical specialists. In the project's first phase, a fetal-monitoring capability will permit baby doctors to remotely — and more quickly — consult with medical staff and examine expectant mothers to monitor the progress of their pregnancies. Intel is also training medical practitioners and technical specialists at both hospitals to use the new technology tools.

    "Our task at the Federal Medical Centre is to — through best practices — provide modern healthcare to a populace that can ill afford specialized care," said Dr. A. G. Okuku, a medical director at the Federal Medical Centre in Bida. "This telemedicine partnership with the National Hospital as facilitated by Intel Corporation is a great advantage."

    ICT Helps Prepare Nigerian Students for a Successful Future

    In line with Intel's philosophy that "computers aren't magic, teachers are," the company plans to train 150, 000 teachers over the next five years through the Intel Teach Program. The program, which focuses on integrating ICT in the curriculum, has already trained more than 8,000 educators in Nigeria since October 2006.

    Barrett visited teachers and their students at the Government Secondary School Jabi Abuja where Intel installed 250 Intel-powered Classmate PCs. The affordable, full-featured student laptop is designed so that teachers and students can share their information with the whole class.

    Based on last year's successful pilot project at the school, Intel will donate 3,000 Classmate PCs to schools across Nigeria in the next few years. The effort will be enhanced with the Intel skoool™ Interactive Learning and Teaching Technology program, which has been tailored for Nigeria so teachers can create locally relevant lessons in math and science for secondary students. Students will be able to access the school work using Classmate PCs.

    "Since this whole project started a year back, statistically we have seen the students' records for the last three terms, and there has been a great improvement on the scores," said Perry O. Edegbe, a teacher at Government Junior Secondary School, Jabi-Abuja. "At each passing term, the students kept improving in their performance. I think the zeal is there for them. They are eager to learn more."

    Through help from the Education Trust Fund and the Nigerian Communications Commission, Barrett announced that the educational model is expanding into 200 new schools nationwide. Schools equipped with Classmate PCs will also double as community centers so Nigerians who do not own computers can share the PCs to access resources on the Internet.

    In a related effort, Intel is collaborating with the U.S. Agency for International Development to start up a new Intel Teach program in Nigeria for aspiring teachers. The program will be implemented in colleges of education so teachers may graduate with ICT skills.

    Through its World Ahead Program, Intel strives to improve education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localized Internet content. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/changingtheworld and www.intel.com/intel/worldahead.

    Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

    Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

    * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
     
  2. BUFF

    BUFF What's a Dremel?

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    aaargh :eeek:

    even more 419s in the future then ...
     

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