PHOENIX (ARIZONA): Intel Corporation's showcasing of talent in mathematics and science in pre-college students through its annual international fairs is with a clear focus on shaping a knowledge-based economy worldwide.

Looking beyond its International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), Intel has established a community-based infrastructure that promotes education through effective use of technology: the Intel Boys and Girls Clubs.

Ninety-five clubs across the world encourage students to innovate in their fields of interest in science and mathematics by using information technology.

The clubs, funded by Intel and philanthropists, has volunteers devoting time to help students choose and excel in their spheres of interest.

Intel's after school hours outreach programmes expose students to research methodology and inquiry-based learning activities, and thereby help students on their way up in careers in science.

"Behavioural change holds the key. The change in the pattern of education — to a knowledge-based approach — is a tough, gradual shift," says Paige Kuni, Intel's Worldwide Manager for K-12 Education (K-12 means kindergarten to class 12).

Creating resources

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ISEF 2005 here, Ms. Kuni says she is highly appreciative of the governments in Asia for their commitment to education, which, she says has helped Intel's initiatives move forward.

"Asia, overall, has governments that are committed to education and they have created resources for the shift."

She finds India and China well-tuned to the change. "In India, there is a great amount of support from the Central and State Governments."

In China, the Ministry of Education has thrown its weight behind the shift to knowledge-based approach in education. "We worked with them on the curriculum."

Both countries are very receptive to Intel's `Innovation in Education' initiative under which students are encouraged to use technology (including IT) to enhance learning standards.

Investing in talent

Asked whether the initiative is Intel's investment in prospective talent, Ms. Kuni says: "It is a question of our own survival too. We need future engineers. So the stress is on maths and science education."

The entire initiative adopts a student-centred approach with effective use of technology and project-based learning.

For this, Intel trains teachers across 40 countries under its `Teach to the Future' initiative. "Nearly 2.5 million teachers have been trained, Ms. Kuni says."

Intel's Worldwide Director, Education, Mussilli Brenda, says: "Our focus on promoting education began in 1968 and over the years we looked at the benefits of education and partnerships in promoting it.

In the nineties, the `Teach to the Future' programme was proliferated worldwide as mathematics, science and engineering education was seen as critical to a knowledge economy, to developing countries and the communities that live in them," Ms. Brenda says.

She says that Intel spends $100 million a year on promoting education with a vision of shaping the future of all economies through a knowledge-driven approach.

On why Intel does not cover college students, she says things have to begin from the basics. "That is why we target school students to prepare them early on for the tasks ahead, Ms. Brenda says."

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