Intel announces initiatives under Project Vidya

BANGALORE: Intel Corporation has announced two projects in association with the Ministry of Human Resources Development to promote the effective use of computer technology in schools.

The initiatives were introduced with the joint efforts of the Department of Education, through Intel's on-going education program in the country, Project Vidya, Intel South Asia director Atul Vijaykar said. The first initiative was a national project to determine how a technology-supported education system could be effectively implemented in schools in the country, he said. The project is already on in three schools and will be extended to two more schools by the end of the year.

The second project is setting up an educational multimedia centre at the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT). The centre, to be managed by NCERT, will assist and advise the Central and State Governments on matters related to school education. Intel has imparted training to 3,000 teachers in India under Project Vidya to help them use multimedia applications and the Internet to teach regular subjects. Launched in 1996, Project Vidya is being carried out in collaboration with the Government.