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L-R: Mr. Christian Moreles, VP, Intel, Rot. Kennedy Ejakpomewhe, Governor, Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria and Mr. Ade Oyenekan, President, Rotary Club of Ikeja during the unveiling of the plaque & commissioning of 50 Classmate PC's donated by Intel in Lagos recently... |
By ROMMY IMAH
Recently, the Intel Vice President & General Manager, Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Mr. Christian Morales was in Nigeria on a two-day strategic visit to further strengthen Intel’s commitment to Nigeria as a key partner in the emerging African market and further deepen its laudable programmes in the country.
Among other engagements, he was in Lagos to commission the microprocessor giants’ launch of a model Intel Teach and 1:1 learning school built in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and the Rotary Club of Ikeja. He also unveiled a donation of 50 Classmate PCs to the Lagos State government for use in the schools.
During his visit, Mr. Morales also met with educators, government and stakeholders in the ICT industry in addition to ecosystem partners on current engagements and partnerships as well as look at new and future areas of engagement that will be mutually beneficial to the Nigerian nation at large.
Over the years, Intel’s commitment to the development of education globally, has not been in doubt. It is on record that the microprocessor specialists spend over a whopping $100million annually to promote and support ICT education worldwide specifically building about 350 of its model Intel Teach and 1:1 learning school across the globe annually. This effort is aimed at meeting with its target of getting about 2-3billion people connected globally in the next 10years.
It is evident that Intel is helping to transform the lives of millions of people all over the world through education. And that is why for over a decade, Intel has been working with countries, communities, and schools worldwide to bring the resources and solutions needed for advancing education technologically.
It has been collaborating with governments, policy-makers, and local vendors to turn their vision into reality, believing firmly that technology brings quality education to more people, while sustaining local communities and economies.
Morales said at a media interactive that Intel strongly believes that an effective education transformation can help countries to increase student competitiveness, build job skills and competencies, support economic development and provide social cohesion.
“ICT helps prepare Nigerian students for a successful future. Access to education and technology increases the opportunities for the people of Nigeria. We are working closely with the government on education initiatives in hopes that they will deliver real results in economic development and in the standard of living of citizens,” he said.
Since 2006 when Intel formally commenced its education programmes in Nigeria, it has been working with the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education as well as State Governments and other partners in the sector to train teachers on how to integrate technology into the classroom thereby making teaching and learning much easier and interesting. In fact, Intel supports both multinational and Nigerian partners in ensuring an all round development and reach of technology in all spheres of life in Nigeria.
So far, about 8 States are replicating the Intel Teach and 1:1 learning school programme.
Bearing in mind that students of today are the innovators of tomorrow, Intel helps to enable the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs by sponsoring competitions and recognizing schools that demonstrate leadership in innovative math and science programmes. Its goal is to put education technology in the hands of students, teachers, and citizens worldwide and ensure that the future innovators have the skills they need to create the technology of the future.
The Intel Learn Programme for instance, extends learning opportunities beyond the classroom using an engaging project-centred approach. The programme enriches the lives of youth in underserved communities and helps them develop the 21st century skills they will need to succeed in the knowledge economy.
The Intel Teach Programme on the other hand, aims at improving teacher effectiveness through professional development, helping teachers integrate technology into their lessons and promoting students’ problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
At the last count, Intel through the programme, has trained no fewer than 25, 000 out of the over 700, 000 teachers spread across Nigeria. This according to Intel underlines the company's definition of education as its social responsibility project and the conviction that teachers are supposed to have access to computers and understand how to use PCs.
Intel believes that teachers understanding of the use of the computer would facilitate efforts at making the Nigerian student more globally competitive as well as save him the disgrace of being left behind in the use of Internet or PCs by other students in Western Europe, America or other parts of the world.
Whether a country has excellent Internet connectivity or very limited connectivity, the enhanced Intel Teach Programme portfolio has offerings designed to enable teachers to introduce, expand, and support 21st century learning with project-based approaches in the classroom.
It is no doubt that Intel’s massive investment on education in Nigeria will help in no small way in transforming education technologically in the country. And like Morales assured, “the collaboration will continue until Intel’s goal of achieving sustainable technological growth in the country is realized.”
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