Around 4,200 high schools across Punjab to have IT labs.

ISLAMABAD, August 25, 2009 (Balochistan Times): The government of Punjab has taken one of the biggest IT initiatives in the education sector by planning to establish around 4,200 labs in schools throughout the province. In the first phase, computer labs in 1,111 higher secondary schools in Punjab are being set-up in collaboration with Inbox Business Technologies. The project, expected to be completed by the end of 2009 covers 4,200 higher secondary schools across Punjab. Official sources Tuesday said the project will be the most significant step towards bridging the information and technology divide between public and private sector education. The turnkey solution signed between Inbox and the government of Punjab covers supply, installation and after-sales-service for all 1,111 IT Labs. Inbox will provide and install Acer Altos G330 Servers and Acer Veriton M670 Desktops. In addition to servers and desktops, thin-client computing will be used to maximize the number of terminals in labs. In this regard, Computing Technology, which offers features specific to the education sector, will be used. This innovative combination of thin and thick-client computing will save millions of rupees, and make computers available to students studying in government schools. The software being used by Inbox in these labs will comprise Microsoft products such as Windows Server 2008, Forefront Security, Windows Terminal Services, Client Access License (CAL), and Office 2007 Professional. The sources said these school labs will go a long way towards integrating technology with conventional modes of teaching.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)