June 13, 1997 (Education) Education Market Access Fund Announced Operation ONLINE Inc., in partnership with the Department of Education, the Newfoundland Alliance of Technical Industries and the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association announced the Education Market Access Fund, a $200,000 program to support the introduction of Newfoundland and Labrador produced multi-media software and content into the local K-12 education marketplace. The announcement was made today by Roger Grimes, Minister of Education, and Sam Walters, Chairperson of Operation ONLINE Inc. The Education Market Access Fund will support both the development of a comprehensive catalogue of locally produced education specific products, and the acquisition of those products by various school districts for distribution throughout the province. Teachers and other professional staff will work directly with Newfoundland Alliance of Technical Industries and multi-media companies to pilot the products and will provide feedback on enhancements and direction to meet the needs of the market. Mr. Grimes stated, "Through these types of innovative partnerships, we can participate in helping our local multi-media industry grow and develop, while improving the level and quality of educational software products in our system. We look forward to this partnership and to a stronger linkage between the public and private sectors in this province." "This initiative will be an added boost to an already growing IT industry in the province and help set the stage to allow companies to effectively market their products in other jurisdictions, both nationally and internationally," said Sam Walters. "We believe that industry will use this as an opportunity to demonstrate their capability to provide world-class products and services." Also announced today was a contribution of $10,000 by Operation ONLINE Inc. to Computers for Schools, a program whereby surplus government and private sector computer equipment is retrofitted and distributed to schools and libraries. Dr. Myrle Vokey, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association, and chair of the Provincial Computers for Schools Advisory Committee accepted the contribution on behalf of the program. Support for the Education Market Access Fund and the Computers for Schools contribution are provided by Operation ONLINE Inc. through the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal. Contact: Craig Slaney Carl Cooper
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