YTL Communications and Intel Malaysia Collaborate to Help Improve Education in Malaysia

1BestariNet Program strengthened by YTL Communications’ new work with Intel-based integrated 4G devices

• Intel supports Malaysia’s 1BestariNet programme and YTL Communications effort to create national learning cloud as a new model for the world
• Intel & YTL Communications have a common goal to bring about a holistic transformation through the provision of Chrome and Android devices based on Intel Architecture
• Intel & YTL Communications have signed an MoU towards introducing Intel-based integrated 4G devices such as laptops and tablet solutions for Chrome & Android platforms

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4, 2013 – YTL Communications and Intel Malaysia today formalized an agreement towards introducing Intel-based integrated 4G laptop and tablet solutions supporting Chrome and Android for the education sector in Malaysia. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both organisations to accelerate progress in the 1BestariNet Program. This program, which seeks to deliver a cloud-based virtual learning platform and high-speed Internet connectivity to 10,000 schools nationwide, is supported by YTL Communications and Intel Malaysia.

“At YTL Communications, we believe that access to knowledge via quality Internet connectivity should be readily available to all Malaysians, particularly Malaysia’s next generation. Since 2011, we have been working to equip more than 10,000 primary and secondary government schools nationwide with high-speed 4G Internet connectivity on our Yes 4G network and a proven cloud-based virtual learning platform, the Frog Virtual Learning Environment (Frog VLE) via the 1BestariNet program,” said Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director, YTL Group of Companies, at the event.

“We’re impressed by Intel's technology innovation in enabling next generation mobile devices and the substantial efforts they are putting into the Chrome and Android ecosystem. Having brought the first 4G Chromebook to Malaysia with Google, we now will further proliferate more 4G devices including tablets and others. Towards that end, we are looking forward to partnering with Intel to bring innovative 4G Intel Architecture based devices to Malaysia to enable next generation learning and other applications,” Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh added.

In its efforts to empower today’s students to keep pace in an increasingly competitive global economy, the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025. As part of the Education Blueprint the MoE introduced the 1BestariNet, which will equip all primary and secondary government schools across Malaysia with high-speed 4G Internet connectivity (Yes 4G network) and a proven cloud-based virtual learning platform, the Frog VLE. 1BestariNet is the first program on this scale worldwide, and the signing of YTL Communications and Intel Malaysia MoU aims at furthering the long term success of the Education Transformation goals a reality.

“Intel believes in the power of education to change lives,” said Gregory Bryant, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager, Intel APAC and Japan. “The right technology solutions are essential in order to realize that power,” he continued. “Intel has been in Malaysia for over forty years, and is proud to work with YTL Communications in helping realize the country’s goal of education transformation.”

“We recognize YTL's strong vision in using its nationwide 4G network to enable an Internet based economy in Malaysia. What it is doing in education through the 1BestariNet is a great example of that. With Intel’s focus in education and its firm commitment in technology innovation in powering up the next generation of mobile devices, our partnership with YTL Communications will help bring the benefits of Mobile Internet to more Malaysians,” Bryant said.

This hardware program isn’t the only initiative that Intel provides in support of taking the teaching and learning process to the next level. Intel has also been running programs to support teacher and student development alike though programs including the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), The Intel Higher Education Program and Intel® Teach Program.

"The web gives students new opportunities to access the world’s information and work collaboratively. More than 30 million students, teachers and parents around the world use Google Apps for Education, and 5,000 schools have already deployed Chromebooks. 1BesteriNet in Malaysia is an example of a large-scale education initiative that makes the most of the web, and we look forward to working with more education leaders and driving discussions about how technology can make a positive, lasting impact on our children’s futures,” said Caesar Sengupta, Vice President of Product Management, Google.