University plans to give away laptops to students

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Computer company PT Acer Indonesia pledged on Tuesday to provide free laptops for 2,500 students enrolling at Bunda Mulia University (UBM) in Ancol, North Jakarta for the 2006 year.

The firm would also provide hot-spot facilities in the campus to enable students to connect to the Internet and teach students about computer hardware.

Company president director Jason Lim said the move was part of its commitment to providing information technology in the country's schools.

The laptops, which cost US$800 each, will be launched next year.

Acer has reportedly provided similar facilities to schools in Singapore, Australia and Thailand.

"We are the biggest supplier of hardware for education in Australia now. We hope we can provide similar products to more universities in Indonesia. We have a long-term plan for that," Lim told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The pledge was formalized in a memorandum of understanding signed by UBM and PT Acer Indonesia at the university in Ancol, North Jakarta on Tuesday.

Lim said his company would also set up a service point inside the campus, which would be managed by the students themselves.

"We will train and empower the students on notebook technology in the service point. So, it will be like on-the-job training. Later, the students will serve students," Lim said.

UBM deputy rector for external affairs Anna Maria said that the notebook would be given to students who enroll for the 2006/2007 school year as part of the university's commitment to offering quality education focusing on information, communication and technology.

"We plan to establish full e-learning in our university. With this free notebook program, our plan will soon materialize, Anna said.