AMD Takes Internet to Mexican Students
9/28/2006

The International Center of Austin (ICA) announced the donation of 80 Personal Internet Communicators (PICs) to Saltillo, Mexico’s Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila. The PIC is one of a portfolio of solutions developed as part of AMD's 50x15 initiative, the goal of which is to connect 50 percent of the world’s population to the Internet by the year 2015.

Led by Donna Wilcox, Executive Director of the ICA, a team of stakeholders from the City of Austin, AMD, and the Sister Cities Program of Austin and Saltillo presented PICs to Dr. Eduardo Garza Martinez, Dean and Chairman of the School of Computer Engineering at Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila.

“We are once again proud to collaborate with AMD in bringing personal Information and Communications Technology (ICT) resources to Saltillo and Coahuila,” said Ms. Wilcox who, as COO of the 15th World Congress on Information Technology, worked closely with AMD to provide World Congress delegates with PICs identical to those that will be offered to the Saltillo University.

Said Austin Mayor Will Wynn, “I’d like to thank the Sister Cities Programs of Saltillo and Austin for their facilitation of this generous gift. Their work has both furthered the existing spirit of international cooperation we share with Saltillo and demonstrated a cross-border commitment to the bridging of the Digital Divide.”

“AMD fundamentally believes that driving Internet adoption and access to computing technology for people around the world is a critical business, social, and economic imperative in our world today,” said Gustavo Arenas, Corporate Vice President, High Growth Markets, AMD. “In this new era, where access to the global digital economy can literally transform people’s lives in profound ways, business leaders have a responsibility to do all we can to put technology into the hands of as many people as possible around the world. Our work with the ICA to help connect students in Saltillo and Coahuila is an important part of this global effort.”

“In meetings with Professor Gary Chapman and Dr. Hector Ruiz during the 2006 World Conference on Information Technology WCIT, we began the discussions that have, today, made this project a reality. The potential benefits of this pilot—to better understand the means by which we can reduce the Digital Divide—make this project a priority for my University and our State Government,” said Dean Garza Martinez.

This public-private sector endeavor, assembled by Professor Gary Chapman of The University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs, will eventually deliver and install the AMD PICs in locations throughout the Mexican state of Coahuila. “Helping close the 'Digital Divide' in other countries is a form of international diplomacy as well as a way for companies to find new customers. We are very pleased to work with AMD to present a wonderful opportunity for cutting-edge research and study for our students,” said Professor Chapman.

“Those of us who work on Sister Cities projects really like this kind of initiative – one that shows that when people work together, we can create a win-win situation for everyone,” said Gus Garcia, Former Austin Mayor and an Austin-Saltillo Sister Cities Association Board Member. “We embrace initiatives that bring together not only the public and private sectors, but also quality-of-life improving technological advances brought forth by collaborations between some of the best minds in Mexico and the United States.”

The International Center of Austin is a 501(c)6 public-private partnership dedicated to the growth of Austin as an international city. Its Business Development, Educational, and Cultural Programs are designed to facilitate commerce, share knowledge, and promote understanding among the myriad cultures of the world.