Let 1,000 Flowers Bloom: Oracle Seeds Tech in China
- By Paul McCloskey
- 08/06/07
Oracle Corp. is trying to enter the booming Chinese economy on the ground floor. The software firm has introduced an "Intro to Computer Science" course to universities and "senior vocational schools" throughout the country via its Oracle Academy program.
The company made the announcement at the Oracle OpenWorld Asia Pacific conference in Shanghai.
The firm said the program will provide students access to the Oracle Academy's curriculum, as well as software and the services "needed to acquire the vital technology and business skills, which today has become a 'new basic' requirement for 21st century careers."
More than 100 Chinese universities and senior vocational schools will join the program. In addition to the introductory course, students will enroll in the Oracle Academy's "Database Design & Programming with SQL" course, a basic database, programming, and professional skills curriculum. Course materials will be available in Mandarin.
Clare Dolan, vice president of Oracle Education Initiatives, promoted the program by saying it would give Chinese students "a head start in the job market, enhanced opportunities, and potential for advancement."
Cen Jianjun, the Deputy Director-General of International Co-operation and Exchanges in the Chinese education ministry, said the Oracle program "fits China's strategic goal to produce graduates with market-ready industry and information technology skills and innovative talent."
Oracle has already made big investments in China's educational system. Since 2002, the firm has made inkind contributions of more than $200 million.
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About the Author
Paul McCloskey is contributing editor of Syllabus.