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COSTA RICA |
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Intel Is
Good Neighbour in Costa Rica
Intel Corporation, with headquarters in
California, has a large presence in Costa
Rica, where it strives to prepare local
students for the high-tech job market. The
company, which makes integrated circuits for
computing and communications industries
worldwide, is the largest company in Costa
Rica.
It thus has a stake in seeing the country's
students educated to take leadership roles
in the computer field. Through its support
of an after-school computer club program,
Intel helps youth in underserved areas
access technology and become confident,
motivated learners.
To help students with an aptitude for
science and technology, Intel has worked
with the ministries of education and science
and the University of Costa Rica to create a
national program of science fairs for
elementary and secondary students. About 60
percent of the student population now
participates in such fairs. Winners of the
country's national science fair can receive
company support to go on to Intel's
International Science and Engineering Fair,
the world's largest pre-college science
competition, to share ideas and compete for
scholarships.
Intel trains teachers to integrate
technology into their daily lessons. And an
Intel higher education program is bringing
technology expertise to universities and
encouraging students to pursue technical
degrees.
Intel's work to help students is one of the
reasons it has earned a place among
finalists for the U.S. secretary of state's
Award for Corporate Excellence. The company
also has been lauded by the State Department
for its encouragement of volunteer service
by employees and for its environmental
stewardship.
About 75 percent of Intel's approximately
3,000 employees in Costa Rica volunteer. In
2008, they contributed 32,000 volunteer
hours to their communities. For every hour
an Intel employee volunteers to help an
organization, the company donates $4 to that
organization.
Intel Costa Rica implements an international
environmental management standard and has
been recognized locally for its health,
safety and environmental practices, such as
cleaning its waste water. The company also
works with Costa Rica's National University
to analyze the groundwater around its
facilities to ensure that it is not
contaminating the area. Intel recycles
organic waste from its cafeterias, donating
it to the Central American Institute for
Livestock for fertilizer production.
Intel's success in Costa Rica and its good
relations with local communities have made
it a magnet in attracting other large
companies, helping the Costa Rican economy
by employing Costa Ricans and by purchasing
as many inputs as possible from local
suppliers. In 2008, Intel bought products
from 300 local vendors. The company also
works with suppliers to help them understand
the expectations of a global company in
doing business.
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