Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Bill Gates To Visit Indonesia, Discuss Vaccines

 

# 1956

 

 

While talks over funding human vaccine production are on the agenda, that isn't the only reason for Bill Gate's visit to Indonesia.  Gates will be the main speaker at that nation's Presidential Lecture on Friday. 

 

The Indonesia government will also be asking for donation of Microsoft software for educational purposes.

 

This from the Jakarta Post.

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 7, 2008  2:15 AM

Expectations high on Gates' visit

Andi Haswidi ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 05/07/2008 12:54 AM  |  Headlines

Bill Gates, founder of the world's largest software company, Microsoft Corporation, is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Thursday.

 

Gates will be the main speaker at the nation's Presidential Lecture on Friday. He is also scheduled to meet with the government to discuss funding, under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for the research and production of a human bird flu vaccine.

 

As one of the world's most influential people, Gates' visit is expected to improve investor perception of the country's current investment climate, the government said.

 

His visit is also expected to improve education quality by allowing students greater access to information and communication technology.

 

The government is seeking to obtain software from Microsoft for 1 million computers for educational purposes, Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie said.

 

"In high and junior high schools there is only one computer for every 1,000 students. We want to improve this to at least one computer for every 20 students," he said.

 

In relation to the plan to develop bird flu vaccines, Aburizal said the government had recently met with foundation officials in Singapore to talk about the plan, but no funding amount had been discussed.

 

Gates will address about 1,500 government officials and business representatives and 1,000 students at the Presidential Lecture to be held as part of Microsoft's annual Government Leadership Forum (GLF).