MIC and Intel cooperate on ICT development

^- ⁺ A^- A⁺ 26/10/2010

On October 21, 2010, Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and Intel Semiconductor Ltd. Vietnam representative signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the development of Vietnam’s 2020 ICT vision “Making Vietnam soon an Information and Communication Technology advanced country”, which is intended to further bring PCs and broadband Internet access to Vietnamese citizens, closing digital divide and improving the knowledge and understanding of PCs and the Internet for the next generation of information workers. The MoU will be in place from the signing day.

The areas under this MoU that two parties will cooperate include:

1/ Policy and strategy consultancy: MIC and Intel will form and Advisory committee with the participation of related government bodies and businesses to develop and consult strategies and policies in order to socializing and popularizing PC and Internet services; the 2 parties will also establish and develop and operative model in order to effectively and sustainably develop and manage the MIC’s “PCs for Life” program.

2/ Education and awareness creation: MIC and Intel to organize train-the-trainer program to raise the ability of using PC and Internet services for the trainers and people in the remote areas in Vietnam; the two parties to coordinate in training courses and conferences of using PC and Internet services for Vietnamese people; they both will also edit and develop curriculums, content and training documents on PC and Internet services know-how.

3/ Support ICT industry development: MIC and Intel will collaborate and support for local ICT industry development: MIC and Intel will collaborate and support for local IT industry in developing and enhancing high-quality Vietnamese PC brands; designing and manufacturing affordable PCs and devices; developing applications and digital contents; establishing R&D centers targeting designing and manufacturing affordable PCs, devices, software and contents.

Giving the speech at the signing ceremony, Vice Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Minh Hong said that: the state and business cooperation is considered as one of critical solutions by MIC to boost Vietnam ICT sector’s development faster and sustainably in the trend of international globalization. I believe that the MoU will continue to confirm effectiveness of cooperation between the state and businesses. It is also a foundation for building breakthrough programs which bring benefits for Vietnam and foreign IT groups, including Intel”.

Under the MoU, MIC and Intel will cooperate to extend the program to the next phase with the target of bringing Internet and PC to every Vietnamese citizen, bringing digital divide, and improving digital literacy. “PC for Life” program aims to accelerate access to information and advanced technologies for all levels of Vietnamese society in the 21^st century.

PC for Life" program started in 2008. Up to now, more than free 2,000 Internet-connected PCs, printers and other peripherals were donated to schools, centers for the disabled, border-guards posts, and other establishments in underprivileged areas in over 40 provinces throughout the country. Participating provinces include Yen Bai, Son La, Tuyen Quang, Can Tho, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Tay Ninh, Ha Tinh, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu.

Vice Minister Nguyen Minh Hong expressed his hope that Intel’s contributions for “PC for Life” program will help to develop it effectively and sustainably and also bring low-priced Internet connected computers to number of receivers in wide scale. This support will boost reducing divide faster and improve intellectual standards of people in general and knowledge on computer and Internet in particular.

Mr Chak Wong, Enterprise solution manager and World Ahead program – Intel Asia – Pacific said that Intel had an honor to be an important strategic and reliable partner of MIC together to follow the success of “PC for Life” program.