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ASUS and Intel sponsor free computer training
By Hou Qingyang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-07 07:53
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College students joined the program sponsored by computer companies ASUS and Intel to teach basic computer skills to villagers in their hometowns. [File photo] |
Computer companies ASUS and Intel sponsored about 1,500 college students to teach basic computer skills to villagers in their hometowns.
The project benefited some 50,000 people in 1,000 villages this summer.
The program recently presented awards to 159 college students, teachers and government officials to thank them for their support.
Qu Mingjie, a 23-year-old student at Qingdao Agricultural University, was one of the 159 to receive an award.
When ASUS was recruiting teachers on the campus, Qu was wondering how to spend his summer holiday.
"Many students applied. I was surprised that they selected me," Qu said.
Qu spent three days drafting his proposal for the program. He consulted his teachers and schoolmates, and borrowed a loudspeaker, umbrella, cable and other equipment to prepare for his summer teaching trip.
To save money, he took a bus to his hometown of Nanzheng, a small village in Shandong province.
"I thought my plan had covered all the aspects, but when I started, I realized how unprepared I was," Qu said.
In his hometown, other college students were training villagers how to use computers for 60 yuan per person and had recruited dozens of people. Qu's neighbors did not believe Qu would offer computer training free of charge.
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Kids in Nanzheng, a small village in Shandong province, are learning how to use computers. The program, offering computer training free of charge and benefiting some 50,000 people in 1,000 villages is sponsored by ASUS and Intel. [File photo] |
He printed 1,000 posters and promoted his training class on the village radio station. Finally, he recruited a few students. He explained to them the composition of a computer, how to use mouse and keyboard, and how to talk online.
Villagers heard a college student was offering free computer training and services, and that the training was efficient and the service was good. Then more people turned to Qu for free courses.
"Gradually, I decided to fully devote myself to the philanthropic campaign," Qu said.
He taught school children to use computers to do their homework, farmers to use computer spreadsheets to better manage their business and elderly people to use the Internet to communicate with distant family members.
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In May, the Chinese government launched stimulus packages to boost economic recovery, including subsidies for rural families to buy home appliances, such as computers.
Shi Wenhong, chairman of ASUS China, said the company is helping to promote the use of advanced technologies in rural areas.
Guo Chuanjie, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the ASUS-Intel program not only promotes basic computer skills in rural areas, but also helps farmers leverage the Internet to increase their incomes and better communicate with the outside world.
"The involvement of college students will inject a new force in computer skills promotions," Guo said.
"The program is a good way to lead youth to take more interest in China's rural areas and the issues of farmers," he said.
