- December 12, 2008 - The U.S. State Department Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) is pleased to announce partnerships with Intel Corporation to provide IT skills and development training to teachers in India, and, joined by Relief International, to provide Internet training to secondary school students and teachers in Azerbaijan. Intel's leadership in information and communication technologies, and its commitment to educational development through "Intel Teach" and other signature learning programs, makes it an ideal partner to support key ECA exchange programs focused on teacher and student training. We share a belief in the importance of enhancing skills, through technology and Internet training, to better prepare teachers and students for the 21st century classroom.

In India, Intel will provide training and professional development to Indian secondary school teachers who are alumni of our ECA teacher exchange programs. Intel will invite exchange alumni to participate in its in-country "Intel Teach" program activities, offer a collaborative information and communication technologies forum to selected alumni, conduct online teaching courses and share curriculum offerings, and, following the training, create a network of alumni who are also part of the Intel program. Intel and the Department of State also plan to build and expand our cooperation by recognizing and highlighting the efforts of teachers to incorporate technology in their classrooms and make education the foundation for India's economic and social development in this century.

In Azerbaijan, the State Department and Intel will partner with Relief International to establish Internet training projects in twenty secondary schools starting in 2009. Building on ECA's virtual classroom learning program, "Global Connections and Exchange," which provides teachers and students abroad with training on the Internet, Intel and Relief International will lend their expertise to a range of collaborative projects. Schools will utilize Intel's web-based teaching and learning programs and Relief International's school-based online learning modules to train participants on new curriculum techniques and to encourage interactive linkages between U.S. and Azerbaijani schools. Intel will also provide participating schools Intel Classmate PCs and expertise on Web 2.0 technologies, with the goal of supporting computer literacy and international student networking.

The commitment of the ECA Bureau since 9/11 has been to reach beyond our traditional audience, and provide exchange opportunities to the underserved but equally talented who have potential to become leaders in their countries and communities. By forming partnerships with companies and non-profits with a strong track record in corporate social responsibility, we encourage smart business investment in proven programs that positively impact young people's lives. The success of these partnerships could be the basis for greater future collaboration, in these countries and globally.

For information on ECA: http://exchanges.state.gov

U.S. Department of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau

U.S. Department of State, Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau

The mission of the U.S. State Department's Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau is to create mutual understanding between the American people and people all over the world through a variety of educational, cultural and sports exchanges and activities. These programs align strategically with the CSR goals of the private sector.

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