Dr. Craig Barrett, CEO of Intel Worldwide with the children of the 'Intel Learn' project. Photo: Israel Hadari, courtesy of Intel * Barrett praises Israel for showing commitment to education and technology
The CEO of Intel, Craig Barrett, today praised Israel's many years of commitment to education and technology, during a visit to Intel-Israel on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
Barrett received from the president of the Technion the award for innovation in technology for Intel's contribution to the promotion and development of the field of computers and communications for the benefit of all mankind.
During his visit, Barrett heard from students how Intel's newest education program, Intel Learn, has changed their lives. "Israel was chosen as one of the first countries to run the 'Learning with Intel' program in light of its commitment to expanding the level of proficiency in technology, critical thinking skills and collaboration skills, which form the basis of today's knowledge economy," said Barrett in a lecture to teenagers and teachers at the Shem Science Museum Bloomfield. "This technology center, based on community involvement and the Intel Learn program curriculum, has led to 28,500 participants acquiring these essential skills so far, and approximately 13,000 more participants will acquire them by the end of the year."
During his visit, Barrett emphasized that Israel has been actively involved in the field of education for many years, with impressive results. Israel participates in the Intel® Teach to the Future program, a worldwide program designed to help teachers integrate technology into teaching for the purpose of developing thinking skills at a higher level and promoting learning processes. More than 20,000 teachers in Israel have been trained under the program since its launch in 2000.
"In light of the fact that 10% of the teacher population has successfully completed the Intel Teach to the Future program, Israel's digital leadership and building a pool of citizens who show proficiency in the digital field will remain on the rise," said Barrett. "The effective integration of technology in educational processes opens the door to new and exciting possibilities for learning, and gives young people the knowledge and skills needed to discover innovation and compete. Israel has clearly adopted the view that technology is the engine for increasing productivity and a tool for achieving economic prosperity. Governments and leading business companies that invest in technology as a national priority, such as Israel, help turn their countries into a globally competitive economic force."
The Technion president's badge was awarded to the CEO of Intel worldwide
The CEO of the global Intel company, Dr. Craig Barrett, received the Technion's president's award for Intel's contribution to the promotion and development of the field of computers and communications and for the long-standing relationship of the giant company he heads, with the Technion and with the State of Israel. Thousands of Technion graduates are currently working for the "Intel" company, in Israel and around the world, and Technion graduate, Dedi Perlmutter, reached the rank of global corporate vice president of the company.
Dr. Barrett arrived at the Technion with his wife, Barbara, in a helicopter that landed in the heart of the campus, and was received by the president of the Technion, Professor Yitzhak Apluig.
In his words of thanks, Dr. Barrett said that more than 6000 people currently work at "Intel" Israel, and that "Intel" has a similar number of employees in Silicon Valley. "This says something about the importance we attach to Intel Israel," he emphasized. He said that he was proud, on behalf of the 85 "Intel" employees around the world, to receive the Technion president's badge, which highlights the importance of the connection between industry and academia.
The chairman of the Technion Seekers Association in Israel, Major General (Ret.) Amos Horev, said that innovation is the name of the game, and just as the establishment of the Technion 81 years ago was an innovation, so was the establishment of the "Intel" company, whose innovation changed the world. The Technion president's badge is awarded for the first time.
