Intel Chairman: Educational Technology Projects 'Changing the Shape of Serbia's Future'

Intel Corporation Chairman Craig Barrett said his company will strengthen its efforts with the Serbian government to spur economic development by enhancing education and computer literacy in the country.

"Education is immensely important for the children of Serbia, as it is for young people all over the developing world," said Barrett. "The kinds of e-learning projects we are seeing here are changing the shape of Serbia's future by helping to move the country toward a knowledge-based economy."

Barrett got a firsthand look today at some early results of Intel's efforts to increase the use of computers in classrooms during a visit to Jovan Miodragovic School in Belgrade. Joined by local government officials, Barrett heard students at the grade school recount their highly positive experiences with a pilot 1:1 e-learning project involving 30 classmate PCs donated by Intel. The classmate PC is an affordable, full-featured, compact and rugged student laptop designed to promote interactive and collaborative learning among students and teachers.

This is Barrett's first visit to Serbia in his dual role as chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development.

Barrett reiterated Intel's commitment to help advance Serbia's governmental projects by sharing know-how and solutions that have proven effective in other countries. He also met with Serbian President Boris Tadic and other government officials today, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic; and Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic.

Discussions focused on using information and communications technology for developing a thriving economy, especially during economic slowdowns. A strong advocate of implementing PC literacy programs and IT in education, Barrett sees both as effective ways to narrow the digital divide. He also believes strongly that developing countries need to make strategic investments in infrastructure, including Internet access and broadband technology.

Earlier today in Belgrade, Barrett gave the opening speech at a meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce, whose members include managers of Serbia's largest companies. He noted that investments in education and digital health are the right path for any government, and that increased IT literacy can help improve a country's overall economic situation. This will be especially relevant for Serbia in its efforts to join the European Union.

Serbia is the last country that Barrett plans to visit as an ambassador for the Intel World Ahead Program. He announced in January an intention to retire as Intel's chairman in May.