Vietnam has focused on an initiative to increase computer literacy among disadvantaged students and people in rural and remote areas.
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| Ms. Dejani Ghosh, Director of Intel Southeast Asia shares her delight with students. |
The Ministry of Information and Communication’s (MIC) PCs for Life initiative, originated from the World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) held in Vietnam in 2009.
Schools throughout rural and remote areas of Vietnam have lacked access to computers, making information technology studies difficult, and restricting access to information and entertainment services MIC Deputy Minister Mr. Tran Duc Lai admitted.
In order to meet this shortfall, MIC has called on private organisations and companies to join the campaign for increased computer literacy through participating in a donor programme, where they could provide computers, software and applications and sponsor the installation of broad-band internet lines at schools in disadvantaged areas, he said.
“To date, local and foreign institutions have joined forces to help provide over 2,000 computers and 4,000 textbooks for schools in 40 locations across Vietnam,” he added.
First foreign partner
Intel was the first foreign partner that to join the initiative. Apart from its own contribution, the company has called on the participation of its partners.
Intel Group signed a ten-year memorandum of understanding with the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications last October, agreeing to take part in the initiative.
Intel Vietnam Co., Ltd launched a programme to support to initiative on May 25 in Hanoi. On the occasion, the company donated 20 computers, worth VND5 million (US$241.77) each, to Hanoi’s Dai Thinh A Secondary School in Dai Thinh Commune, Me Linh District.
Teacher Vu Thi Thuy Hoa, the school’s principle, said, “Our school now has over 300 students but lacks any IT facilities. MIC’s initiative and the donated IT equipment has helped realise our dreams.”
“Through this programme, we hope to make people’s dream of possessing a computer come true, particularly for low-income earners such as students and people in rural areas,” said Director of Intel Southeast Asia Ms. Dejani Ghosh at the launch ceremony. Intel will also equip benefiting schools with modern tools and applications in order to facilitate teaching and studying.
Through its partnership with Viettel, VNPT and VTC, the programme will provide applications and broadband internet services, while the British Council has provided free English language software to the school.
Low income earners will be able to access soft loans via Asc Finance Corporation as part of the programme.
The programme will initially be divided into three phases, with the first beginning on May 25 under the PCs of Your Dreams slogan. This will offer students computers ranging from VND5-VND9 million (US$241.77-US$435.2) after discount.
