Intel VP John Davies visits Bortos School in Oseem as part of Intel World Ahead Program
CAIRO: Providing access to educational opportunities through technology is a key component of the Intel World Ahead Program, and no where is this more evident than in Bortos School in the village of Oseem on the outskirts of Giza. John Davies, Intel’s vice president, Sales and Marketing Group, general manager, World Ahead Program, toured the school’s facilities today, six months following the inauguration by Intel Chairman Craig Barrett.
During Barrett’s visit in December, the school received a shipment of computers spread out over two labs and a WiMax connection, providing students and teachers with access to a wealth of information on the Web, as well as access to computer programs.
“Providing educational and technological tools to developing communities is only the beginning, said Davies. “Ensuring that the local community is benefiting from the technology, and that future generations within the community are being prepared to enter an always developing technological world is a must. The opportunities are there and we are working with local communities and education institutes through our Intel World Ahead Program to ensure that these opportunities are realized.
Oseem Village is a prime example of a developing community lacking the necessary infrastructure to provide its residents with educational opportunities. Lacking adequate education methods, communication systems and healthcare, the village has long been stagnant. The opportunities provided by the Intel World Ahead Program, while also beneficial in the short-term, are especially relevant in the long-run.
“Think of the students in Bortos School 10 or 15 years from now. Having had access to technology and having benefited from unique educational methods, they can in turn benefit the people of Oseem by using their education and experience to find ways to better the area. The process is a cycle – by investing in the students at this age, they can then invest in their own community as they develop, added Davies.
To achieve such results Intel is making use of advanced technologies especially adapted for rural deployment, such as WiMax for fixed broadband access, low cost and low power PC technology and single button recovery. Intel is using technologies that are simple to setup and maintain in harsh environments with no access to technical expertise, and technologies that are extremely cost effective to deploy that are based on standards ensuring competitive supply with minimal investments.
