Rio Tinto Foundation provides 5 new computers to ITB

The Rio Tinto Foundation today (4/9) handed-over 5 new computers and peripheral equipment to Institute Technology of Bandung (ITB) at Mining Design Laboratorium - Faculty of Earth Science and Mineral Technology (FIKTM). The Rio Tinto Foundation was represented by its Chairman, Noke Kiroyan whilst ITB was represented by its new Dean of FIKTM, Prof Dr Ir Emmy Suparka.

"The cooperation between the Rio Tinto Foundation and ITB was based on one of the Foundation's mission to improve human resources in the mining industry. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties was signed on 21 December 1998," said Tom Malik, Executive Director of Rio Tinto Foundation.

In addition to this assistance, the five-year cooperation includes research and development in technology, training, dissemination of mining information and provision of scholarship.

The provision of computers comprises a Silicon Graphics Server, Plotter A-0, Digitizer A-0 and 5 PC Terminals worth US$23,000. The computers will be in operation this month. Teachers and students were initially provided with training by Mincom in the specific software tailored for the mining industry to be used on this computer hardware.

Prof Emmy Suparka said, "The availability of the apparatus will shorten the gap between theory and practice and eventually the mining graduates from ITB are expected to be better equipped to work in the mining industry".

For more information, please contact: Nunik Maulana, Telp: 021 527 4208 ext 111, Fax: 021 527 4228, email: nunik.maulana@riotinto.co.id. (*)