Intel Invests in Digital Revolution in Nigeria

Intel Corporation has restated commitment to modern teaching and learning techniques with investment in electronic educational resources to encourage the youths get access to quality education in a pleasant manner. The company announced this at the 4th Edition of the Nigeria Education Network Conference 2014 (Edunet) tagged “Fostering Technology Entrepreneurship in Nigerian Universities, “held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

This year’s Edunet targets University students in Nigeria. It seeks to help them identify ways to draw on resources and structures as well as exploit emerging technology opportunities which enhance learning.

In his words, Mr. Stanley Muoneke, Strategic Relationship director for West Africa at Intel, “our participation in this year’s Edunet stems from our awareness of the challenges that Nigeria education system faces. It is also borne out of our determination to collaborate with other stakeholders to interpret education data in our environment; jointly work to understand and sustain technological efforts which would ultimately accomplish technological change.”

He speaks further, “in the last few years, Intel has worked on numerous educational projects in Nigeria.  We have launched several key education projects with private sector partners and especially with public sector partners at state and federal levels. An example is the Intel Digital Literacy program. Late last year we launched the Intel Explore and Learn Education Content Market Place. It is perhaps one of our most important education initiatives in Nigeria.”

He highlighted that the ‘Intel Explore and Learn education marketplace,’ provides access to locally relevant education solutions and content , and can be used as “a resource hub where learners can find relevant content to enrich their studies, while giving content providers and publishers , a platform to easily share rich learning content with learners.”

The basic aim of this initiative according to Intel was to meet the unique needs of emerging markets by delivering high-quality; technology-based education opportunities, with target audience being young people. It encourages them to access education anywhere, from devices they choose, at home or at school.

Our aim is to ensure that we make it easy for the average student to find locally relevant content and textbooks that’s aligned to their local education curriculum; to have access to it offline and online in a safe environment, using devices that they prefer; to also consume the content in various fun formats. We seek to make it easy for the publishers and education content providers to distribute locally relevant education content and textbooks to every student in Nigeria.

Explaining why the company has been working to improve education in the country, Stanley highlighted that all through Intel’s 36-year history, active community involvement with education has been a strategic business focus for the company, having invested more than USD1 billion in support of education; providing programs and support in more than 50 countries around the world since inception.

Technology, according to him is enabling and enhancing different facets of life, so education must not be left out. It is one of the ways in which Nigeria can improve its standard of education. It makes learning easy, ubiquitous, accessible and affordable to a greater number of people who may not have the opportunity.