TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Intel's Academic Community Program is focused on preparing the next generation of software professionals for multi-core platforms.

The program aims at expanding the computer science curriculum to include multi-threading software for multi-core platforms. It had tie ups with 45 universities worldwide delivering curriculum in 2006, and 400+ in 2007. Intel is also contributing expertise, educational course materials, dual-core PC platforms, software development tools and funding.

In an exclusive with CIOL on the sidelines of the recently held Intel Developer Forum 2008, Scott Apeland, Director, Developer Network for Intel and Harshad Deshpande, Asia Pacific & Japan Program Manager, Intel Software & Solutions Group, discussed the importance of education for Intel, as well as its program across Asia, and in India.

According to Scott Apeland, education is a very important area for Intel. "Over $1 billion has already been invested by us. We have programs from top to bottom. About 90 faculty members attended the 2008 Asia Academic Forum. Our focus is on innovation and technologies. One of the key focus has been multi-core. It has created significant changes in the industry. It has to be parallel, rather than sequential.We have provided tools to make it easier to develop, test, debug and optimize multi-core software."

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Two years ago, Intel partnered with 40 universities to provide multi-core information into the curriculum. These universities were extremely
receptive. Today, Intel has partnered with over 850+ universities globally (see table below).

"In India, we started with the tier 1 institutes. So, they are also training their partners. The engineers who would be coming out of these institutes with the training will definitely have the competitive edge. There is a new pipeline for the new talent coming out from all of these universities," he reckoned.

Intel has got a Web-based program, where you can download the tools. You can also license them. You can also download the curriculum, etc. Those faculty using this program can also share ideas and experiences with the other faculties as well. Now, the institutes are also starting to communicate together. We have created the community and the people are interacting.

Harshad Deshpande elaborated that Intel works with VCs, UMs and the HRD ministry, etc., in India, and also conduct seminars. "We share information, etc., and then roll it out. The UPTU and the VTU have already started using this. Also, the NITs (formerly, RECs), have taken this up as well," he added.

"For certain tier 1 institutes, we have the Intel Higher Education Team. Intel scholars visit these institutes, and have multiple, close engagements. Our portal is the Intel Software Network, the resource for parallel programming tools," said Deshpande.

Need for parallel programmers
Commenting on the growing need for parallel programmers, Apeland noted: "We are hearing from companies that they need more parallel programmers. The whole industry is moving toward multi-core. Developers need to learn the new skills and move ahead."

Parallel is regular! According to Apeland, this may happen in the next five to 10 years, when we have better ways to use parallel programming. "By 2010, this may start happening. For example, Wipro has been getting customer requirements for parallelism," he concluded.