Albawaba.com – Amman
By Amjad Baker
International technology development giant Intel on Sunday announced plans to invest in Jordan and train a new generation of teachers steeped in hi-tech expertise.
“Intel will work on qualifying teachers through its experiences and programs,” Intel president and CEO Craig Barrett, who stopped in Amman for a half-day visit, told Albawaba.com.
Barrett noted that this was an ideal way to prepare a high-tech generation capable of competing in the IT world.
He congratulated Jordan on its progress in the IT sector, but urged the kingdom to be even more ambitious, especially given the fact that Jordan had all the means to become the “model for the whole region in the IT sector.”
Citing a number of examples of other role model countries, Barrett pointed to Estonia, where ministers are not allowed to use paper in meetings. Instead, “each gets his own laptop to work on.”
Another example given by Intel’s CEO was his observation that some European countries had started using signs to encourage people to catch up with the IT world.
Barret expressed appreciation for the key role played by Jordan’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, especially in executing the kingdom’s e-government project.
For his part, Jordan’s Post and Telecommunications Minister Fawaz El Zoubi’ voiced hope that Intel’s investment planners would put Jordan on their world map, especially in the IT sector.
Meanwhile, Intel's general manager for the Middle East and North Africa, Gilbert Lacroix, said at an Amman press conference on Sunday that Barret’s visit was aimed at understanding “what is going on in Jordan, and what regulations and laws are in place to foster the e-economy.”
Lacroix said the CEO’s visit was also intended to provide Intel with a closer look at Jordan’s economic environment, especially in terms of “commitment from both the public and private sectors.”
Lacroix added that Barret had been impressed with Jordan’s achievement and spirited efforts to tap into the IT world, and had initially thought about establishing an e-lab at a Jordanian university in the near future.
He explained that the e-lab would serve as an incubator for young businesses in the country, bridging the gap between IT novices and society, and educators and businesspeople.
The e-lab would also encourage more private sector involvement in human resources development and education, Lacroix added – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
