Bangladesh Telecentre Network has signed an MoU with Intel’s World Ahead Programme

Bangladesh Telecentre Network has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Intel’s World Ahead Program, on March 22, 2008, with the aim to establish a collaborative relationship to jointly promote and support various digital inclusion and citizen transformation projects. Under this agreement, Intel will work with Bangladesh Telecentre Network to promote telecentres as a concept, introduce affordable PC platforms, enable Intel Channel Program partners to support telecentres, collaborate on content that can be used for service delivery by Telecentres, and support initiatives to increase Internet and broadband penetration in Bangladesh.

The MoU signing ceremony was hosted by Intel in collaboration with the Bangladesh Telecentre Network. When describing the intent of this collaboration, Mr. Zia Manzur, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Ltd. Dhaka Liaison Office said, “We want our joint efforts to make technology more accessible to the people of Bangladesh. Telecentre is a good concept in bridging the digital divide, and can improve access to education, healthcare, and citizens services”. Mr. Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Chairperson of Bangladesh Telecentre Network (BTN) in his introductory speech focused on working on the business plan for making Mission 2011 successful. He mentioned that BTRC shown lots of commitment and became spokes person of BTN internationally and nationally.

Mr. Shahiduddin Akbar, member of BTN Executive Committee made the key note speech briefing about the telecentre movement in Bangladesh as well as Bangladesh Telecentre Network’s Mission 2011 roadmap of having 40,000 telecentre across the country by the year 2011. Mr. Akbar presented the modalities of partnership between Bangladesh Telecentre Network and Intel’s World Ahead Program. In his presentation Mr. John Davies, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group, General Manager, Intel World Ahead Program, Intel Corporation, highlighted about the accessibility, connectivity, education, training and local language content. In his presentation, Mr. Tom Burns, Worldwide Director, Content and Services, also stresses on local content.

Mr. KAM Morshed, Head, e-Development Cluster,UNDP Bangladesh facilitated an open discussion. Major points discussed in the open discussion were about the scops of partnership with Intel on policy area about reducing cost, architecture of telecentre and translation of content. Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury in his speech said,” I am quite optimistic, 1000 now and 40000in 2011 expansion of Mobile user is an example. I think we can achieve”.

After the discussion, the formal MoU signing ceremony was held where Dr. Ananya Raihan, Secretary General, Bangladesh Telecentre Network and Mr. Zia Manzur, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Ltd. signed on behalf of their organizations. Concluding the event, R. Ravichandran, Director – Sales and World Ahead, South Asia, gave the vote of thanks.

Contact Name: Ananya Raihan

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