In Indonesia, Chevron-donated equipment and software are helping to enrich computer knowledge among students in Riau, an oil-producing and natural resources-rich province on the island of Sumatra. The Computer Literacy Improvement program calls for donating computer laboratories to local secondary schools and universities. With the support of local government and other third parties, training for computer lab management, operation of hardware and software, and trouble-shooting, also are provided.
A few years ago, PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI), a Chevron subsidiary, decided to update its information technology system, making available more than 4,000 older PCs. In early 2001, a CPI team concluded that the machines could best be used to improve students’ computer literacy. Separately, an earlier study found that among Riau students, computer science placed first (25%) in student interest among nine fields of study. This information led to building the Polytechnic Caltex Riau, which started teaching students for the first time this year.
The committee, along with several other parties, joined with local authorities and education officials to identify candidate schools for new computer labs and the required infrastructure and utilities. Some of the other parties working alongside CPI were PT Microsoft Indonesia, which donated software licensing worth $1.2 million; and local universities, which managed, respectively, equipment transport, installation and setup, and trouble-shooting workshops for lab attendants.
By April 2002, 44 senior high schools and seven universities in Riau had received the donated computers, and 39 schools had established computer labs. Each lab has been outfitted with 21 PCs, tables, chairs, and in-room electrical facilities. Software training was provided for about 400 teachers and six separate trouble-shooting workshops were held.By mobilizing local resources, CPI successfully recycled surplus PCs. For CPI’s partner universities, software specialists, and local government agencies, the project offered an opportunity to help students and they’re communities acquire sustainable skills.