Intel and SME Bank in training pact

• MoU to explore using Intel Learn Easy Steps and Intel Entrepreneurship Basics in training programs conducted by Cedar, SME Bank
• Aimed at equipping SME owners and young entrepreneurs with relevant ICT and entrepreneurship skills to further ICT uptake

 

INTEL Malaysia and SME Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore making available two training progammes, Intel Learn Easy Steps and Intel Entrepreneurship Basics (E-Basics), to complement the bank's existing small and medium enterprises (SME) community training and development programmes. 
 
The proposed training is to be incorporated into SME Bank’s training courses and will be conducted by SME Bank’s Centre of Entrepreneur Development and Research (Cedar) in an effort to equip SME owners and young entreprenuers with relevant ICT and entreprenuerial skills.
 
The courses would be offered as a prerequisite to potential SME owners or entrepreneurs who are interested to take advantage of the loans offered by SME Bank under the SME Development Scheme Fund, Intel Malaysia said in a statement.
 
Prakash Mallya, country manager of Sales & Marketing for Intel Malaysia and Singapore, said the MoU signifies the intention of Intel and SME Bank to work together to benefit the SME community.
 
“It also underlines Intel’s commitment as a corporate citizen to provide learning opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and mature SME owners to acquire ICT skills that are relevant for day-to-day business operations. Together with SME Bank, we aim to drive technology uptake among SMEs in Malaysia,” he said.
 
Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry, who was present at the event to witness the signing of the MoU, said that Intel has done very well in moving up the value chain from lower-value manufacturing to providing high-income employment opportunities.
 
“Intel is a good example of a corporate citizen that contributes immensely to nation-building through its CSR (corporrate social responsibility) and community development programmes,” he said.
 
Intel Learn Easy Steps is a training module suited for adult and youth learners with little or no experience with computers, and who are in need of basic technology skills. This global programme is designed specifically to help accelerate access to technology and also introduce effective ways for youth and adults to learn how to use technology to increase and improve opportunities for commerce, education and communication, Intel said.
 
Intel E-Basics on the other hand is a starter toolkit which contains context-based learning and modules on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. The complete toolkit aims to enable and empower entrepreneurs to get started, develop and run their business more effectively and efficiently with appropriate technology usage, the company added.
 
In conjunction with its effort to accelerate ICT adoption to increase and improve opportunities for SMEs in Malaysia, Intel Malaysia is working with some of its partners to provide enterprise level computers at special prices.
 
One of these partners is Lenovo Malaysia, offering the following packages (terms and conditions apply):

• Lenovo ThinkCentre Edge 72        : RM 1,572 (upgrade option - 3^rd generation Core i3 & 4GB RAM: RM 1,904)
• Lenovo V480                                  : RM 2,138
• Lenovo ThinkPad Twist                  : RM 3,352
• Lenovo ThinkPad X230                  : RM 3,890
• Lenovo ThinkPad T430                  : RM 3,919
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon         : RM 6,662

Related Stories:

Intel announces small business package

Malaysia’s edge is in quality workforce … and English: Intel

Two Malaysians bag three awards at Intel ISEF

 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow @dnewsasia on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.