NEWS: Community focus of Intel

AS part of efforts to give back to the community, Intel Malaysia kicked off a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative last year. One of the programmes is the Volunteer Matching Grant Program (VMGP).

According to Intel Malaysia’s community relations programme manager of corporate affairs Azrena Mahmud, VMGP is a grant programme that has a two-fold objective on education: a direct employee voluntary engagement that delivers results, and a cash donation to the schools involved based on the amount of voluntary hours spent.

“Through VMGP, our employees are able to impart their knowledge and more importantly, help inculcate a passion for engineering, maths, science and technology among the schoolchildren.”

Azrena said VMGP is an example to schoolchildren that education is important and that the programme promotes the spirit of volunteerism and community outreach.

“More than money received for the schools, students’ lives are enriched by the close relationship established with the Intel volunteers. It has a big impact on a child when an adult spends time with them.”

Among the benefits to students are improved communication skills and self-esteem, as they know that they are loved, and building team spirit.

From May to December last year, a total of 1,136 Intel employees logged 5,860 hours of voluntary work in a wide range of activities in 23 schools across Penang and Kulim. In addition to the support rendered by the volunteers, their efforts had resulted in RM75,000 worth of grants being given to the schools that they were involved in.

Explaining how the programme works, Azrena said for every 20 hours Intel employees spend volunteering in primary and secondary schools, the Intel Foundation will donate US$80 (RM270) to the identified schools. And every additional 20 hours volunteered earns another US$80.

Under the programme, Intel Malaysia has also established a Community Computer Centre (CCC). To date, three Intel CCCs have been established in Penang and one in Kulim.

“The CCC serves to provide equal access and opportunity to everyone, irrespective of age, social standing and race, to develop the confidence, skills, resources and experience needed to use technology meaningfully and play a role in the new economy,” Azrena explained.

As an extension to the CCC, Intel also deploys volunteers to the centre to conduct free computer classes for members of the community such as single mothers, orphans and the handicapped.

“These classes are held on a quarterly basis, with the volunteers playing a key role as tutor and content developer,” Azrena said.

Some of the classes offer basic introduction to Microsoft programs.

On the budget Intel has set aside for its CSR programme, Azrena said there are no allocations set for VMGP. “Volunteers may spend as many hours as possible to support the programme. The Intel Foundation has not set any restrictions to the number of funds to be donated, as long as the volunteer hours abide with VMGP’s rules and guidelines.”

Going forward, Azrena said she hopes that VMGP will spread its wings to more schools in Penang and Kedah and even to selected non-profit organisations.