Intel, the biggest manufacturer of microprocessors in the world, inaugurated a new laboratory yesterday (October 2 ) at the Faculty of Automated Systems and Computer Science in Politehnica University of Bucharest (UPB).

The new Intel Student Open Lab has an area of ​​100 square meters and includes a hall for laboratory, one for research and development and a meeting room. The laboratory will accommodate 650 undergraduate, masters and PhD students annually . It will be used for research and development in Open Source software, following an investment by the Intel Romania Software Development Center (IRSDC). The investment in the new lab was not mentioned.

"This joint project with the University Politehnica of Bucharest will bring Open Source closer to students, master students and the PhD students interested in careers in software development. In addition to supporting educational programs adapted to global trends in the field of technology, we want to give the local talent the opportunity to work at the highest level in the software industry in Romania without having to leave the country," said Monica Ene-Pietroşanu, Country Manager, Intel Romania Software Development Center.

The opening of Intel Student Open Lab is part of Intel Romania's strategy to contribute to the development of national education through direct cooperation and transfer of know-how in academic institutions, as well as hardware and software investments.

Intel and the University also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support research and development in IT at university level. Company officials have announced that from the academic year 2012-2013, they will provide scholarships worth up to USD 10,000 to students in the third and fourth year of study of the Faculty of Computer Science.

Intel is a major player in the computer industry, specializing in the development and production of micro processors. The company designs and develops technologies that serve as the foundation for many of the world's computing devices. Intel Romania opened an office in Bucharest in 2005.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com