Google to Provide Free Web Edu Services for Vietnam
The giant internet search engine Google is developing a plan to provide free accounts for the Vietnamese education system.
On the evening of April 12, Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan will conduct an online meeting with several Google managers and employees throughout the world about the plan.
The Vietnamese plan is part of the Google Apps for Education project, a recently-released web software package for education which has been receiving enthusiastic support from some universities in ASEAN countries.
With the package, universities which are yet to develop IT infrastructure in Vietnam will still be able to provide students and teachers with free email, chat, information exchange and management services.
Using the service package will create a convenient e-environment which facilitates information exchange, teaching, learning and research activities for teachers and students within a university. For instance, students can develop their personal schedules and use Word and Excel with 3GB accounts. Schools can also provide school email accounts for students, who won’t have to use Gmail any more. And Google Talk allows students to discuss lessons online after class.
Dr. Quach Tuan Ngoc, Director of the Information Center at the Ministry of Education and Training, said, “Too many accounts being registered at the same time may cause technical problems, and force service providers to make big investments.”
“However, the Google side has affirmed that it will provide complete free accounts for Vietnamese education. Google hasn’t requested any advertisement banners either.” Mr. Ngoc added that in the coming meeting, the Vietnamese side would make some proposals and policies to complement Google’s plan. (VietNamNet)
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