File photo of BIBD ALAF students learning to code using Micro:Bit. Image: Ridhwan Kamarulzaman

The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) and Ministry of Education (MOE) will be organising a donation drive to support online learning.

Since March 30, MoE implemented nationwide online learning until May 14 to students in the primary and secondary schools, institutes of higher learning and universities.

According to MoE, there are currently 52,000 students attending government schools from primary to sixth form level.

To support the online learning initiative and students in need of ICT devices, the public, private sectors and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are called upon to join efforts in donating new or used computers, laptops and tablets to provide equal and continuous learning opportunities to all the students.

The Image: Courtesy of AITI

The minimum specifications of the devices required are as follows:

Computers & Laptops

Processor – 2.0GHz

Memory – 4GB RAM

Hard Disk – 250 GB

Operating System – Win 10 / 8.1

Graphics – At least 128MB Graphics Memory

Network – Wireless Connectivity

Others – Keyboard, Built-in Camera, Speaker & Microphone in working condition

Tablets

Operating System – Android 5.0 or above | iOS 11 or above

Image: Courtesy of AITI

Two venues have been identified to drop off the devices:

In the Brunei Muara District , the devices can be handed in at Block A, Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Sultan Saiful Rijal Campus, Jalan Muara.

, the devices can be handed in at Block A, Institute of Brunei Technical Education (IBTE) Sultan Saiful Rijal Campus, Jalan Muara. In the Belait District, the collection point will be at IBTE Jefri Bolkiah Campus, Kuala Belait.

Donations can be sent from Monday April 13 until Thursday May 14 from 8.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm, except on Friday, Sunday and public holidays.

During the month of Ramadhan, donations will be received from 8.30am to 1.30pm on the same days.

“Before the devices are handed to students in need, AITI will be conducting performance reviews on the devices to ensure that they meet the prescribed minimum specifications,” AITI said in a press statement.

Additionally, the donated devices will be refurbished, which includes system diagnosis, reformatting and installation of necessary applications for online learning purposes.

“This process will be handled by on-the-job trainees who are HNTech and Diploma graduates in ICT-related fields who have the necessary skills and knowledge to execute the tasks,” read the press statement.

MoE will be assisting AITI in distributing the laptops to the students in need.

With the availability of devices, it is hoped that the students can fully benefit from online learning.

Furthermore, this initiative will also give trainees real work experience and provide them with marketable skills.

AITI said the success of this donation drive can only be achieved through the whole of nation approach with support from all students, parents, Ministries, academia, private sector, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and the general public.

For more information, members of the public can contact AITI at 736 2955 / 741 0106 / 741 0107 / 741 0108 (office hours only) or email at info@aiti.gov.bn.

The Bruneian | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN