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Intel Helps Expand Use Of Technology In Turkey Through Intel’s World Ahead Program

CEO Shares Details for Increased Accessibility, Connectivity and Education

ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 21, 2006 – Intel Corporation President and CEO Paul Otellini today announced that Intel will increase efforts in Turkey to drive greater technology accessibility, Internet connectivity and enhanced education to advance knowledge and skill development, job growth and quality of life.

Through its World Ahead Program, Intel, together with several local technology companies, will make available a new type of low-cost, fully featured desktop PC to first-time computer users, and the company will significantly increase its work with educators to improve teaching and learning.

“By multiplying the effects of computers, the Internet and education we can greatly enhance the lives of Turkey’s people who previously haven’t found it within their reach,” Otellini said today in a speech before the country’s government and business leaders.

While explaining that the importance of accelerating the reach of technology’s benefits was a critical component of Intel’s global business success, Otellini demonstrated a prototype of the low-cost, fully featured small form factor desktop PC that Casper, Exper and Vestel plan to make available in three months. The Intel technology-based, high-quality desktop PC is designed to introduce a new set of people to the world of technology and will be priced at less than US$300.

Citing the critical role locally relevant technology plays in extending the reach of the technology, Otellini also demonstrated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor-based Vestel notebook PCs that were wholly manufactured in Turkey. Intel assisted Vestel with the design of the notebook PCs, which will be introduced later this summer and address the growing mobile PC demand by consumers and businesses across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

During his speech, Otellini said the Ministry of National Education (MONE) is role modeling a holistic, sustainable approach -- focusing on providing appropriate technology, teacher training, relevant content and connectivity -- which is critical for accelerating the impact of technology’s benefits in education.

In addition, Otellini announced that Intel and the MONE will work together more closely to accelerate development of 21st century learning skills such as collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking and technology literacy for Turkey’s youth. The enhanced efforts will include:

  • Training an additional 500,000 teachers by 2011 through the Intel® Teach to the Future Program. Since 2003, nearly 60,000 teachers in Turkey have participated in the program to learn how to use technology to enhance student learning.
     
  • Growing Turkey’s year-old Intel® Learn Program by 10 times over the next 5 years, establishing an additional 350 after-school, community-based computer centers across the country and potentially reach 180,000 students.
     
  • Donating 8,000 computers – through Turkey’s MONE – to schools where students and teachers don’t have easy access to computers.
     
  • Continued localization of content on Intel’s free online e-learning resource meb.skoool.gov.tr. Twenty-five percent of the interactive learning Web site, which includes math and science lessons for students, is currently available in Turkish.

“By expanding the Intel Teach to the Future Program by nearly 10 times, we have the potential to impact nearly all of Turkey’s teachers and potentially reach 10 million students by 2011,” Otellini said. “Computers aren’t magic, but teachers are. Only by putting the tools and training in place to empower teachers can we truly affect learning and the development of skills.”

“You can fill all classrooms with computers, but if you don’t train teachers how to use them effectively, the investment you made will lose its purpose,” said Minister of National Education Huseyin Celik. “Thank you to Intel for helping us in this aspect of modern education.”

While unveiling the new digital inclusion projects, Otellini said Intel’s World Ahead Program elements are key parts of the company’s broader digital transformation investments in Turkey. Intel has been working with local governments, educational institutions and businesses to foster local entrepreneurship, specialized technical competencies, education and technology accessibility. The comprehensive efforts aim to create a sustainable environment that promotes technology skills development, knowledge transfer and jobs creation in the region.

With the World Ahead Program, Intel has committed to invest more than $1 billion globally over the next 5 years to speed access to uncompromised technology and education for people in the world’s developing communities.

The program integrates Intel’s efforts to enhance lives by driving progress in three areas: 

  • Accessibility: Creating opportunities for widespread ownership and shared access of PCs through affordability, access and content, including the development of fully featured, affordable PCs tailored to regional needs.
     
  • Connectivity: Expanding wireless broadband Internet access by cultivating the required ecosystems and encouraging deployment, including the broad promotion of WiMAX trials and deployments.
     
  • Education: Preparing students for success in the global economy through education programs and resources, including professional development for teachers worldwide and the donation of 100,000 PCs to classrooms worldwide.