Private Public Partnership (PPP) on e-learning
15 October 2007
On Monday, 15 October, Premier Nosimo Balindlela met with Mr Bernd Bischoff,
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fujitsu Siemens Computers, at the
company Headquarters in Munich, Germany: "We are here to show our commitment to
the partnership in order to promoting e-learning and the development of an
integrated information and communications technology solution for the
province," said Premier Balindlela at the meeting.
The delegation went on to tour Fujitsu Siemens Computers factory in
Augsburg, Germany where servers, notebooks and desktop personal computers (PCs)
are manufactured. The meeting with Mr Bischoff sought to take the partnership
to new heights building on the relationship that has been formed in the Private
Public Partnership (PPP). "We at Fujitsu Siemens Computers (FSC), live our
corporate motto, We Make Sure. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to
support Information Technology (IT) in education," said Mr. Bischoff.
"I am impressed with the Premier's dedication to this project and to laying
the foundation for state-of-the-art higher education in her region. "Fujitsu
Siemens Computers has already started delivering servers to further education
and training (FET) colleges, which will help to establish the backbone of the
project. And the company is working with local supplier e/t/s didactic to
deliver the next phase of the project: specific software and training for
teachers.
Premier Balindlela is leading a high-powered delegation with Members of the
Executive Council (MECs). Balindlela's delegation to Lower Saxony comprises the
MEC for finance Mr Billy Nel, MEC for Local Government Mrs Thokozile Xasa, MEC
for Education Mr Johny Makgato, the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature Mrs
Noxolo Kiviet and senior government officials. Recently 16 FET lecturers
attended a three-week course in Lower Saxony where they were exposed to the
world of e-learning and e-education. These lecturers have now returned to the
province and will be transferring their skills to their colleagues.
In addition to this they will be going on-line live in two weeks for an
on-line e-conference to discuss issues and ideas that they have developed since
the course. This sharing of ideas forms the basis for continued co-operation
and a foundation for future relations using the ICT platform that is already in
place.
About the Eastern CapeâLower Saxony partnership. The partnership between the
two provinces has been in existence for the past 12 years.
Initially formed to assist the Eastern Cape to set up its provincial
administration, the partnership has grown tremendously to include projects in
e-learning, cooperation in sports including support for the 2010 Federation of
International Football Association (Fifa) World Cup preparations, vocational
training projects as well as partnerships in arts and culture.
On Wednesday, the Eastern Cape Premier will make a historic address at the
Landtag, the Lower Saxony Legislature. There are many first to this historic
address including:
* first time that a Premier has been invited to address a sister
Parliament
* the first woman Premier in South Africa is the first to address the Lower
Saxony Landtag.
For further information contact:
Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier
General Manager: Provincial Communications
Cell: 082 440 2728
E-mail: Nomfundo.luphondwana@otp.ecprov.gov.za
Amy MK Flécher
Director Communications
Tel.: +49 (0) 89 3222 4460
Cell: 49 (0)171 8650 101
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 3222 4466
E-mail: amy.flecher@fujitsu-siemens.com
About Fujitsu Siemens Computers:
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European IT provider with a
strategic focus on next-generation Mobility and Dynamic Data Centre products,
services and solutions. With a platform and services portfolio of exceptional
depth, our offering extends from handhelds through desktops to enterprise-class
IT infrastructure solutions and services offerings.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has a presence in all key markets across Europe,
the Middle East and Africa, with the services division extending coverage up to
170 countries worldwide. Leveraging the strengths, innovation and global reach
of our joint shareholders, Fujitsu Limited and Siemens Auditor-General, we make
sure we meet the needs of customers: large corporations, small and medium
enterprises and private users. To meet international standards for corporate
social responsibility, Fujitsu Siemens Computers is a member of the United
Nations Global Compact.
For more information on Fujitsu Siemens Computers, please visit: http://www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
15 October 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)
