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Published on October 9, 2007

The move is part of the company's attempt to give students an equal chance to access information and acquire knowledge by using technology as a crucial tool.

Accharas Ouysinprasert, Intel Microelectronics (Thailand)'s country manager, said the project was called ''ICT for Education''. Intel has provided 3,000 PCs and laptop computers to around 60 schools throughout the country selected by the Ministry of Education. The delivery will be done over two years with 1,125 desktop PCs and 195 notebook computers in 2007 and 1,680 PCs in 2008.

A total of 150 mobile PCs are the Classmate model, designed to be rugged and durable and suitable for children's day-to-day use. They are small, with only a 7-inch screen and a child-friendly form factor for classroom use, as well as being easy to carry and weighing around 1.2 kilograms. Meanwhile, the 2,850 PCs are equipped with Pentium M processors that reduce heat, with a thin 15-inch screen.

"All 3,000 notebook and desktop computers come with wireless features with 802.11g standard Wi-Fi that allows students to access the Internet wirelessly. We will work with TOT to provide broadband Internet as well as a wireless network in schools," said Accharas.

All devices come to students with licences for learning software suites, Microsoft XP and an office suite that allows teachers and students to get the most benefit from using computers as a learning tool.

Since this project is also part of Intel's World Ahead Programme that aims to enhance lives by accelerating access to technology for everyone, anywhere in the world and focused on people in the world's developing communities, teachers will be supported with training courses from several Intel programmes such as Intel@Teach and Intel's digital content programme called kooolthai.net.

"This move also provides a chance for Thai students to participate in the Annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair," said Accharas.

Umaporn Pattanapakarn, the company's business development manager, said the 60 schools would be selected by the Ministry of Education, targeting schools with a ratio of students per computer of 1:20 as the priority.

The company has hired a third party to provide implementation and maintenance services for 60 schools for a year.

In May this year, Intel deployed 45 mobile computers in Satit Chula School as the first trial site for the project. The project is not limited to only providing computers but also provides training for teachers to use computers and software as tools to improve learning methods.

The Intel World Ahead Programme will train an additional 10 million teachers over the next five years in developing communities on the effective use of technology in the classroom. The programme also provides 100,000 free PCs to classrooms in those communities to improve learning skills.

Asina Pornwasin

 The Nation