Google to open Singapore R&D
Internet search company Google Inc. plans to open a research and development center in Singapore, its first in Southeast Asia.
Google's research centers outside of the United States typically focus on adapting its products for local markets, but are also involved in developing new offerings and fine-tuning existing ones. Three of its eight research and development centers around the world are in Asia.
Brunei teachers win global tilt
Brunei's representatives to the Microsoft Regional Innovative Teacher's Conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia won first and third places. The event is a worldwide initiative to empower schools to increase student learning through teacher development and leadership. It was organised in partnership with UNESCO Asia Pacific and Microsoft under the flagship Partners in Learning (PiL) programme.
The representatives were Cikgu Hj Yussof bin Hj Metassim, Sr. Education Officer from the ICT Dept., Ministry of Education, Cikgu Mohd Zamri bin Hj Ismail of Sayyidina Hasan Secondary School and Cikgu Ismail bin Hj Julaihi of PAP Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah Secondary School.
Intel strengthens aid in Philippines to improve education
Intel, an international computer processor and solutions developer intends to intensify its programmes to help integrate information and communication technology (ICT) in the Philippine educational system.
In its CSR 2006 year-end report, Intel Philippines highlighted three banner programmes, namely: the Intel Philippines Science and Engineering Fair (Intel Ipef), Intel Higher Education Programme (Intel HEP), and the Intel Teach Programme (Intel TP).
Intel Ipef is a nationwide competition on research and development involving students. The company will select top six entries that will compete in the Intel international science and engineering fair in May, which is expected to involve 1,300 entries from 40 countries worldwide.
The Intel HEP aims to improve the university curriculum, and research and development. Intel TP intends to teach educators how to effectively use personal computers in the classroom. The program has trained over 74,000 teachers in the country and over four million worldwide.
RIHS ties with IGNOU to offer academic programmes in Sri-Lanka
The Regent International Institute of Higher Studies (RIIHS) of Sri-Lanka has partnered with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India to offer its academic programmes in Sri-Lanka from January 2007.
IGNOU will prepare a comprehensive set of modules for the distance learning system and provide to students. The “IGNOU-RIIHS partnership” allow students to pay their course fees as per the SAARC norms on a semester basis. A sufficient number of contact sessions for each course and other required services including effective counseling are to be provided by the RIIHS during weekends.
Oracle's Think.com connects schools of Sri-Lanka
Oracle has launched its online community learning system 'Think.com' to connect schools across Sri-Lanka. Think.com is designed to connect students around the world and engage them in collaborative, project-based learning using technology.
Oracle's Think.com will provide a safe environment for both students and teachers to collaborate to make learning more interactive and fun. Teachers and students from member schools can enter this password-protected learning community. Currently, the Think.com is available in 8 different languages across 26 countries. Oracle has successfully implemented Think.com in Sri-Lanka and Pakistan.
