Country Manager of Intel Pakistan, Naveed Siraj, said that the new invention from Intel has changed the world’s concept of a computer.
“Now the computer is in your pocket and by plugging directly into the HDMI input of TVs and monitors you can make your television and monitors into the computer with a codeless mouse and keyboard, Naveed Siraj said in an interview with Pakistan Today.
According to him, the Intel Compute Stick can transform any HDMI display into an entry computer capable of working with productivity apps, reading and composing emails, and browsing the web, in addition to enjoying local or streamed content. Unlike “casting devices” that require a companion device such as a smartphone, tablet or PC to deliver the content to be displayed, he said that adding that the Intel Compute Stick essentially means that the casting device will function as a computer with a full operating system. So in addition to home entertainment applications, the Intel Compute Stick can be used as an education system, a basic thin client, or in kiosks, point of sale devices or other lightly embedded applications.
The Intel Compute Stick will support Wireless 802.11 b/g/n, a microSD card for expandable memory, mini-USB power supply and Bluetooth* 4.0 for keyboard and mouse, he informed. The Windows version is expected to retail for $149 and the Linux version for $99, he further informed.
Two versions will be launched initially – both will be based on the Intel® Atom® quad-core processor, code-named “Bay Trail” (Z3735F). One will include 32GB storage, 2GB memory and pre-installed Windows* 8.1 with Bing. The other will include 8GB storage, 1GB memory and a pre-installed Linux* distribution.
He said the Intel has a number of partner including Dell, HP and others, who are using Intel’s chip and processors to make their devices last longer. These partners are inventing tablet PC, mobile phones and IPod etc,
Education uplift programme:
Under the CSR program, Intel wants to uplift primary level education through information Technology (IT) in the interior parts of Sindh, which is far behind other provinces.
In this connection, Intel now has signed an agreement with USAID and Education and Literacy Department, government of Sindh, for improving the education system from the beginning, i.e. going all the way back to grade one or two.
He said the most of the people living in rural areas in Pakistan are deprived of the latest IT technologies and they even do not know how to use them on their mobile.
Naveed Siraj said that his company will only finance ICT based trainings for teachers in 120 newly constructed schools as well as periphery schools in interior Sindh and few areas of Karachi.
The chipmaker firm will also help to train at least 800 government teachers, 4,000 students and 4,000 out-of-school adolescent and adults to enhance their competencies in the effective use of ICT in school education / literacy and daily life over the period of three years, the country manager said.
He said that this education programme with USAID and Education and Literacy Department (ELD), a Sindh government institute, will provide a collaborative strategy for better access to and enhance quality of education in less developed areas of Sindh.
Intel Pakistan will also facilitate the participation of teachers and students from Sindh Basic Education Program (SBEP) schools in national, provincial and regional science fairs.
Further to this, Intel Pakistan will support SBEP schools and regional public libraries in order to improve the quality of reading and other education activities, he added.
Siraj further said, “Intel’s assets such as Intel® Teach, Intel® ISEF, and Intel® Learn Easy Steps will be key for the provision of course content, professional development trainings and ICT based trainings for teachers in the 120 newly constructed schools as well as periphery schools in Sindh province.”
Through the support of USAID, the Education and Literacy Department is implementing the SBEP in seven districts, including Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Kashmore, and Dadu along with five towns of Karachi namely Kemari, Lyari, Orangi, Gaddap and Bin Qasim.
According to him, the Sindh government is constructing approximately 120 large public schools in the above-mentioned districts with support from USAID.
It is envisioned that these schools will serve as learning hubs in their respective locations where students are equipped with contemporary knowledge and skills to take on the challenges of 21st century proficiently.
The Education and Literacy Department, government of Sindh, will facilitate the provision of teachers and resources to Intel Pakistan for organising trainings at SBEP and periphery schools, implement and utilise available resources such as practical/e-learning material in schools, implement Intel® Teach training and enhance out-of-school adolescents’ competencies in the effective use of ICT through Intel® Learn Easy Steps digital literacy course content.
Speaking at a signing ceremony, US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G. Olson said, “We all recognise that prosperity and a better life cannot be built without a strong foundation in a quality education.” He added, “This agreement with Intel Pakistan will go a long way toward making education more accessible to the children of Sindh.”
USAID Pakistan has provided support to the Government of Sindh’s Education and Literacy Department through a $155 million program to construct 120 large public schools in seven districts of the province and five towns in Karachi.
The country manager said education should be the government’s first priority and without it, there would be less scope for Intel to invest in Pakistan.
He said that Intel is also working in Punjab government to provide technical skills to the students.
Government to tax on import of used computer:
He said the incumbent government will try to improve economic indicators and drive investment and if the government starts delivering results once, the IT sector would perhaps be the first movers for new investment.
He said we are hopeful with the government to further impose taxes on the import of used computers in Pakistan. Every years, the private sector imports old and garbage computers worth million of rupees which are not comfortable for people as they cost them between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, but go out of order in two to three months.
He said the government should reconsider its computer import policy and imposed taxes to halt its import in the country or set a time limit for the computers, as has been the case for used cars.
The government should allow the import of used computer up to two to three years only, he added.
‘Women, rural communities need to be invested in’:
More recently, Intel Pakistan is focusing on “women empowerment and girls’ education” through its existing CSR projects, Siraj said.
“The private sector needs to continue to invest and increasingly we see the government’s intention to speak with the private sector. But, in the end, it depends on whether the government sets the goals and achieves them.”
Siraj was of the opinion that the free laptop scheme for high-achieving students in Punjab, which drew criticism when it was first launched, was a step in the right direction with one caveat.
“But there needs to be subsidies for other segments of society especially women and rural communities. The government should keep on encouraging high-achiever students, but also incentivise a larger cross section of society to be able to afford devices.”
Intel-powered tablet PCs were introduced in the Pakistani market in 2013 and Siraj said the response has been “very interesting.” He said the tablet PCs could “have a transformational impact on device users in Pakistan in terms of computing, being able to connect and then get content.”
Device affordability and connectivity can also lead to use of unconventional learning methods, such as web-based learning and Massive Open Online Courses, in Pakistani schools to improve children’s analytical skills.
“All I am really interested in is that a particular teacher, let’s say, Vehari is able to show online courses to students and preferably each student has an affordable device to follow the lesson.
“Such web-based courses can also be used to impart entrepreneurship skills to students and help them become job creators instead of job seekers, he said.
For the future, Siraj said the arrival of 3G and 4G services might open up avenues for technology investment in Pakistan. He said he believes the rural communities could also be a “game changer” for Pakistan’s future IT landscape.
“A lot of IT services are urban-oriented but our agriculture and farm-produce tasks are mostly done manually. Those processes can benefit tremendously from IT services.”
The country’s Intel chief head said the Intel is making most sophisticated chips for the super computers, which are being used for the safety of Army’s computers, and if Pakistan government or its army required Intel help so it will be provided.
