Intel Chairman to visit Bangladesh: Grameen-Intel Partnership for World Ahead program
August 31, 2007 by Md. Arafatul Islam
Intel Corporation world’s largest semiconductor company and the inventor of the x86 
series of microprocessors, processors found in many personal computers. Dr. Craig R. Barrett, the chairman of this giant chip maker company, will visit Bangladesh on September 04, 2007. The purpose of his visit is to introduce Intel World Ahead program in Bangladesh. Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chairman of Grameen Solutions, will sign a contract with Intel Chairman to introduce Grameen-Intel Partnership for World Ahead program.
Besides this, Intel Chairman will attend several meetings with Bangladesh government, community, academia and industry.
The Intel World Ahead Program aims to enhance lives by accelerating access to uncompromised technology for everyone, anywhere in the world. Focused on people in the world’s developing communities, it integrates and extends Intel’s efforts to advance progress in four areas: accessibility, connectivity, education and content. Intel’s goal is not only to extend affordable PC access but also to develop the PCs tailored to local needs, drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capabilities, and provide the technology education needed to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Leading Bangla weekly news magazine Shaptahik 2000 published a detail report on Intel Chairman’s upcoming visit in Bangladesh. Shaptahik 2000 mentioned that, Intel will introduce a newly designed low cost laptop called “Classmate PC” for Bangladeshi Students. Grameen-Intel will deliver this Classmate PC to 35 thousands schools in Bangladesh. The initial price for classmate PC in Bangladesh is between 220 to 250 US Dollar.
According to Shaptahik 2000, Intel’s education efforts focus on improving teaching and learning through the effective use of technology, and advancing math, science, and engineering education and research. Grameen-Intel will provide ICT training to school teachers in Bangladesh. Trained teachers will provide ICT training to students. As part of the Intel World Ahead Program, Intel will train an additional 10 million teachers over the next 5 years in developing communities on the effective use of technology in the classroom.
Shaptahik 2000 mentioned that, for people living in underdeveloped communities, the Internet is either a complete mystery or a resource beyond their reach. Intel is enabling them to experience the benefits of the Internet by increasing the availability of high-speed wireless Internet connectivity. Intel and Grameen Solutions will establish WiMAX network across the country to provide low cost high speed broadband Internet. This WiMAX Internet will connect classmate PC’s with Internet and students will be able to go online to expand their knowledge. Moreover, this WiMAX network will open the door for new ICT business in Bangladesh.
According to Intel Website, partnering with public and private organizations, Intel is driving WiMAX broadband developments that will reach cities as well as suburban and rural communities that previously were either impossible or too costly for carriers to pursue. Intel World Ahead Program will connect another billion children and adults to the Internet and to the rest of the world.
Shaptahik 2000 also mentioned that, Grameen Solution will introduce telemedicine service under Intel World Ahead Program. This service will make bridge between urban doctors and rural patients.
Jafor IKbal, a famous ICT expert, told Shaptahik 2000 that, “Government need to welcome and support Intel. Laptops in Schools can be a good idea. But they need to ensure servicing of those laptops.” He said, WiMAX can be a good solution to introduce high speed broadband Internet in Bangladesh.
Anu Mahammad, a famous economist in Bangladesh told Shaptahik 2000 that, “the contracts between Intel and Bangladesh need to be transparent and judicious. We need to know how Intel’s effort will benefit our country people. I hope Intel will give us clear ideas about their way of work in Bangladesh”.
Intel Chairman’s visit in Bangladesh can introduce a new economic dimension. We have seen Vietnam to get benefits from Intel. Intel has invested 1 billion US dollars in Vietnam. We hope that kind of Investment can be introduced in Bangladesh besides World Ahead Program. The caretaker government should have done their homework to take proper advantage of Dr. Barrett’s visit to Bangladesh and show him our strength and potential. We are looking forward to this visit with a lot of hope with great expectations.
To read the detail report on Intel Chairman’s Bangladesh visit published in Shaptahik 2000, please visit the link given below: http://www.shaptahik2000.info/issues/2007/year-10/issue_16/pdf/pk20070831.pdf
I’m thinking why Grameen would like to involve with Intel if there is no profit. None of the NGOs of BD works as non profit and that is an open book. Everyone knows that NGOs are only interested for their own profits not for the sake of people. They bring funds, so that they can live a fancy life (brand new cars, good quality air conditioning system etc.) and now Intel is their next target?
I have gone through your writings on Intel Chair. Thanks a lot to give me information. What Anu Mohammad has wanted to say about the contract? But I think, Govt. should get involve in this contract. Thanks.
Intel investment effort in Bnagladesh is definitely a good news for the future. Previously many investment efforts in Bangladesh under government leadership did not get reality. In this era of public-private-NGOs-Corporate body collaboration, partnership between Intel-Grameen should not be seen negatively.The focusing point is that this opportunity should have to be fruitful either by Intel-Grameen or Intel- Bangladesh Government. Because like Vietnam Bangladesh should also positively gain from the Intel. Like others i also believe the government should take the pivoting role while the contact is signed with the government or the grammeen.
I would request Mr. Omi Azad to learn about what Intel did in Vietnam and India. If he knew that information I am sure he would never post this kind of comments here.
@Saifur: Did I complain about Intel? Hey ready my comment again. I complained about NGOs business and like me you won’t like if NGO uses them and spoil our reputation.
Thanks for the understanding…
Mr. Omi Azad.. yeah u didn’t say anything about Intel. I think u even didn’t read the original post of Mr. Arafat. He has mentioned that the partnership is between Intel & Grameen Solutions. Grameen solutions in the new name of Grameen Software Ltd. So, this company is not an NGO. Please visit the website of Grameen Solutions (www.grameensolutions.com) and hope you will understand all the services provided by Grameen Solutions. From my personal view point I do feel that we need more persons in Bangladesh like Prof. Yunus. Please don’t consider all in the same categories. You might have some bad experiences about the NGOs. But do you consider Grameen as othet NGOs in Bangladesh? Then all other NGOs should have achieve the Nobel Prize.
Dear Arafat,
How r u? Hope fine. I have read ur article about Intel World Ahead Program, nice information and combination. Go ahead …
Please convey my heartiest blessing to Professor Yunus because he is going to take another good initiative with company like Intel. I hope this effort will ensure positive changes in Bangladesh.
Regards
Omar Faisal
student of ICT4D (Stockholm University)
Sweden.
This is an excellent venture not only for the companies involved but for the country as whole. It hurts to see that some people do not agree with this view. When was the last time a multi-billion dollar company extended their hands with billion dollars to help the local country people move forward? Bangladesh is years behind due to poor government policies and dirty politics. And finally we see something being done about this. The country has advanced in the last few years with recognition coming from many areas. Apart from our Nobel Prize winner, there has also been other names in the technology world that make our nation proud. One of the founders of You Tube is a Bangladeshi. And more recently what Dr. Abul Hassam has done in the field of water purification. So I am in full support for this program. Exactly how this program will be implemented, lets not sweat and leave it to the big guns to implement.
It is time not to question, but to have the spirit to fight for a common cause and collaborate with each other to push sustainable development programs forward.
It would be interesting to see how business and philanthropy blends from this visit. It is very rare for such a high profile expenditure go go away as simple donation, rather a healthy mix will be appriciated.
I know about Mr. Omi Azad from Bangladesh friends: he is slightly deviated from the point. What Grameen is doing with Intel doesn’t related to NGOs at all since Grameen is not NGO! It has clear business entity.
NGOs are work for their own- could strat a useless debate as it is a solved issue. I am sure Mr. Omi Azad has no information about the mode of work and funding process and implementation etc. May be we can discuss in a separate page/day. Sunita Kanchal
I salute Grameen and Prof. Yunus for taking on this venture with Intel. Let this cooperation grow and open path for Bangladeshi talents to be utilized! The government role should be limited to support and facilitate the business/ technical venture; anything more than that creates impediment to the process. Let the private sectors sort out the details, levels of cooperation, and do the job. Yes, we have the talents and human resources to be competitive and take advantage of the current economic conditions if we remain committed to open market principles and maintain order in the country.
Once again, heartiest congratulations for the beginning of a potentially huge benefit to BD! Thanks Dr. Barrett, Dr. Yunus, and those who made this cooperation a possibility!
Regards,
Sultan Chowdhury, Ph.D., Maryland, USA
As a developing country, Bangladesh should take the benefits of this investment considering the main purpose of Intel in this investment. Besides Professor Yunus, if the experts of Bangladesh think that we will be benefited by this investment then it would be favorable for us.
This type of investment is new in Bangladesh. We should think about proper utility of this investment in Bangladesh from our weak technological perspective. Recently, we have proved our excellence all over the world by achieving some outstanding glory. This glory should be sustainable.
I expect from Professor Yunus that he will consider the benefits of the Nation more than his personal interest as a noble prize owner and do the right thing which he does.
Regards,
Mohammad Saiful Islam
Dhaka University
The Intel World Ahead programme (in B’desh) sounds interesting. It talks about not only improving education in math and science but also research. It talks about providing not only low-cost PCs but also WiMax connectivity for widespread access to the Internet. The plan to reach out to teachers sounds good too. B’desh has a very large number of NGOs, many of them involved in ICT-enabled development work, not all of them uniformly excellent. One does not know at this stage what role these NGOs will play in the Intel project.
I will like to see the Tanore Mahila Degree College, some twenty miles from Rajshahi, involved in the Intel programme. A few months ago I visited the college and learnt that a few hundred girls from poor families are provided free education, free hostel accommodation and free food. The principal of the college, Mr Ishaque Ali (pardon me if I have spelt the name wrong) is a committed person with a large heart. If one has to choose one single initiative, I will unhesitatingly choose girls’ education. Especially in a country like B’desh.
India News: Barrett to push Intel programmes in India, Bangladesh
Bangalore, Sep 2 (IANS): Intel Corporation chairman Craig R. Barrett is visiting India and Bangladesh from Monday to strengthen the chip-maker’s education and healthcare programmes aimed at using technology for empowering the common folk.
On his ninth trip to India and first to Bangladesh, the techno evangelist will interact with governments and local industries on the benefits of Intel’s World Ahead Programme (WAP) in training teachers and students in digital technology.
During his three-day trip to the sub-continent, Barrett will visit Tindivanam, about 125 km from Chennai, in Tamil Nadu Monday to participate in a healthcare programme initiated by Intel India subsidiary.
The programme facilitates the use of ICT (information & communications technologies) in providing efficient and cost-effective healthcare for the needy and weaker sections.
Barrett will fly to Dhaka Tuesday to launch the WAP in Bangladesh and address the stakeholders on the objectives of the digital inclusion programme.
Returning to India Wednesday, Barrett will participate in the eighth anniversary function of the Intel education programme, being held in New Delhi on the occasion of ‘Teacher’s Day’ (Sep 5).
‘Coinciding with Barrett’s visit, the company will be signing agreements (MoUs) with respective governments and local players on implementing digital technology in education and healthcare,’ an Intel India spokesperson told IANS here Sunday.
As chairman of the United Nations’ Global Alliance for ICT and Development, Barrett has been instrumental in helping stakeholders to usher in a universal and inclusive information society.
‘Providing leadership, Barrett has been working with governments, international organisations, civil society and business leaders on the use of digital technology to advance the Millennium Development Goals of the UN,’ the official noted.
Last year, Intel announced $1 billion investment in the WAP to train teachers and students in the use of PCs (personal computers) in classrooms.
Barrett is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards globally. Over the last 12 months, he has toured several countries the world over to accelerate the use of technology under the aegis of WAP.
Under WAP, Intel works with governments and local industries in developing nations to demonstrate how technology can help solve complex problems in education, healthcare and business.
In India, Intel is working towards improving access to technology, high-speed Internet connectivity, effective teaching and learning, and relevant local content under the WAP.
Source: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/india/news/article_1350879.php/Barrett_to_push_Intel_programmes_in_India_Bangladesh
I was surprised to discover that Intel Chairman’s Bangladesh visit published in Shaptahik 2000 as Cover Story with Possible Tk 2000 Core Investment.
From the Cover Story:
What I understand from the above published story that, Intel just selected Grameen Solutions http://www.grameens olutions. com/index. php as Vendor for Classmate PC in BANGLADESH.
Reference Check:
Intel Corp. has tied with three large Indian PC vendors to assemble the Classmate PC, a PC specially designed for schools. The three vendors — HCL Infosystems Ltd., Wipro Ltd., and Zenith Computers Ltd. — will start shipping the product to Indian schools from August 2007.
Like India, is that Grameen Solutions going to assemble the Classmate PC in Bangladesh? We will be importing Classmate PC for Bangladesh with our foreign currency, we are not getting this as GIFT, so how we can say that, it’s Intel Investment in Bangladesh?
I also really don’t expect an Intel fab plant to be announced this time. an investment on that scale needs lots of discussion, incentives and persuasion. We probably would have heard something already if that was the case.
Sayeed Rahman
Kentucky, USA
Mr. Sayeed, I am really surprised by reading your comment. This proofs that you have the shortage of knowledge regarding Intel World Ahead Program. Would you please visit the web site of Intel World Ahead Program (http://www.intel.com/intel/worldahead/index.htm). Then you will learn about this. You should know something details before give your valuable comments. Classmate PC is just one of 4 pillars of IWAP. Do you know how much Intel invested in Vietnam & India? I would request you to know the details first and then to comment on such issues. Where did you find the information that Grameen Solutions is going to assemble Intels Classmate PC? And though Grameen Solutions does this then will there not create lots of job opportunities for our people? Won’t they pay for this? Aren’t we buying PCs now? I don’t know what you guys think of? Try expand your thinking arena. I know I might have said a lot but I am really surprised to see such kind of comments here. Anyway.. I am sorry if I have said anything wrong. You are most welcome to point out my faults.
I am an Australian, living in Dhaka. My background is in education, including the use of ICT within mainstream primary and secondary schools.
I was very interested to learn of the intended visit of Dr Barrett and of the agreement between Grameen and Intel.
I am in contact with some talented young people, working within the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (a part of the Ministry of Education).
During the past three years, as part of a major curriculum development project, they have led the development of a new curriculum for Information and Communications Technology at grades 9 and 10 within secondary schools, a subject to be taught as one of the compulsory electives at those grade levels in more than 17,000 schools. Shortly they will be participating in the development of curricula for both grades 6 - 8 and 11 and 12, including ICT components, either as separate subjects or as an integral part of the curriculum.
Under a GOB project, the Secondary Education Sector Development Project, they are currently planning an e-Learning project to be conducted, over three years, in 20 selected secondary schools. The main aim of this project is to examine ways in which computers can be used effectively and efficiently to enhance student learning and to raise general community awareness of the potential for life-long learning associated with computers.
I would be very pleased if these two young people could be included in a meeting between Dr Barrett and educationists as they are very well informed about the situation in Bangladesh and they are in a position to facilitate and support the use of computers and associated technology with students in schools.
Joan Taylor
Phone: 882 6301 OR 01819 243 621
Mr. Sayeed. Did you ever tried to be helpful to the community? If I’m not wrong, you are the owner of BanglaICT mailing list and where people are not allowed to say something with a free mind.
You always talk rather working. Please try to be helpful sometimes.
Alamgir
to Mr Saifur, even you are perfectly right in your argument, there is always somebody who may come up with a point which could oppose your idea completely…that does not mean the other guy has “he shortage of knowledge”…he thinks different… in your posts, you are always offensive to any comment you didn’t like…. does it sound good?…anyway, i just wanted to point out somithing that didn’t look good to me ..
Marzuk, Germany
Mr. Marzuk. I always try to speak straight. I just wanted to request them to know more about the World Ahead Program. If they really had the clear concept of that then they would never say like that. There are some people in this world who always try to find the negative side of anything. Do you agree that this is not good? Then if this is not good then you must have the courage to say that straight. If anyone can’t express his/her comments straight then s/he has no right to speak in front of others. It’s their fault not others. Did you noticed that those guys who couldn’t break my logic remained silent. Why? This is only because they have realized that they were really wrong. If not then they must have opposed my opinion. I personally believe this. Anyway, thanks for your saying. I like to hear this anyone who wants to say something then just express yourself openly. I always welcome those who will alert me about my fault in front of me. Thanks again.
It is unfortunate to witness such a dialog, with such great news. But then again, it is also interesting to see such diverse range of thoughts. But my take on this is that before we speak we should be well informed on what the actual deal is. For example, I am still in a dilemma on how the whole plan will work out. In the Associated Press, regarding this visit of Dr. Craig Barrett, its said Intel will give 1000 computers to Bangladesh and they have further said that it is still unsure that Intel will invest in Bangladesh. It is an interesting media stunt from my point of view. I am saying this, only because of what Intel has done in Vietnam. First announced that it would be $300m and then within a short-period of time the figure became $1bn. So, what does that say about such a corporate move? It definitely made the headlines! What triggered all this…a simple visit made by Dr. Craig Barrett to Vietnam.
We have had the Sales and Marketing division in Bangladesh for a while now. And Bangladesh has been making progress socially and economically and industrially. I already spoke of a few individuals…so why is it that some of us are being slightly pessimistic towards this development. Common honorable gentlemen…its a development in a developing country! And thanks to the few people who have made this possible, i.e. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Mr. Kazi Islam, Mr. Zia Manzur, Intel Bangladesh Association! Now lets think how do we accelerate this implementation…shall we?
I understand you guys having an argument about this pretty useless issue. Since I work for intel in UK, I guess I know a little bit inside out about this corporation and relevant corporate world. So it just makes me laugh the way you guys arguing about this. The way intel approached bangladesh is a very common scenario for us. we call it ‘Corporate propaganda’ but Intel Corporation describes it as ‘corporate responsibility’. Now my point is that there are many intelligent and smart heads working in Santa Clara behind this move. In other words it’s a long term plan for this corporate giant to make a huge profit at some point in this particular region. It’s not a ‘donation’ as far as I’m concerened. So it’s our opportunity to make the most out of this business move and capitalize as much as possible. As they are trying to make money by utilizing our resources, what we should do is to be smart enough to utilize them as stairs to progress. Now the contract with Grameen Solutions, OK it was our government’s responsibility to come forward and convince the company that they are capable of taking the responsibility to carry out their proposed development program. But they didn’t or couldn’t do that, therefore they shouldn’t complain. Now Intel has made the deal with a company which they thought would be the most efficient organization to implement their development program and will be able to make money for them in future. Now I don’t really wanna go into an argument with anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings. I’m only 20 so I don’t know much about this but this is all I’ve got to say about this. By the way please don’t think that I’m a huge fan of Dr. Muhammad Yunus or Grameen. I am particularly not keen about none of these. If you want to confront my comment please e-mail me to kameeeng@gmail.com. That’s what we call in Intel ‘Constructive Confrontation’ (Corporate propaganda and Bureaucracy). No offense to anyone.
Laila Ali
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read.
Yes Shawon,
Although, I admit I suspected that and was 99% sure it was.
Thats the word I was looking for ‘corporate propaganda’! Makes sense
And also, agree with the point regarding ‘long term plan’ from the smart heads in Santa Clara and BD to make the most of it. Just take a look at where 57% of world’s population is…and out of that 57%…how many are familiar to the use of information technology…or just the computer. The figures will speak for themselves as to where systems sales should be in the next decade…and who dictates how it is to be used
By the way, you dont have to be a fan of Professor Muhammad Yunus, but I do suggest that you should have a good read about the activities he has managed to deploy in perhaps what can be termed as in the ‘most difficult of times’. So before you speak out your mind and opinions, do question yourself as to why are you saying that.
I found an article on Grameen Solutions’ mismanagement. You can find there here. If the article is true then how come they will participate on the country’s prospect!