Intel has expanded its Multi-core University Program to 32 more universities in China.

Last year the company chose five schools, and now Intel will expand its partnership to include 32 more universities in designing multi-core curriculum, research and training programs. The program provides Chinese university students training with multi-core technology and cultivates the next generation of multi-core developers for the global IT industry. The announcement was made at the Intel Developer Forum, which runs through Tuesday at the Beijing International Convention Center.

The announcement also kicked off Intel's National Multi-Core Programming Contest. With a top prize of RMB50,000, the contest aims to promote the multi-core technology and enhance the capabilities of multi-core based software programming and optimization among students and technology enthusiasts. The announcement marks another milestone in the integration of multi-core technology into Chinese higher education.

"As a global technology leader, Intel has been committed to advancing technological innovation and cultivating IT talent," said Wee Theng Tan, vice president of Intel Corporation and president of Intel China. "In China, Intel continues its efforts to support China's educational institutions and promote the knowledge economy. Advanced manufacturing processes such as nanotechnology and multi-core applications have brought sweeping changes for the entire IT industry. The joint multi-core labs established by Intel and the Chinese universities will help integrate multi-core technology in teaching and research conducted in universities in order to cultivate more technical talents adaptive to this new era."

As a part of Intel Higher Education Program, the Intel Multi-core University Program is collaboration between Intel and the Higher Education Department of China's Ministry of Education. The program aims to enhance the teaching and research of Chinese universities in multi-core development and cultivate IT talent. Intel currently has established five multi-core labs with top universities in China, and plans to establish multi-core labs in 32 Chinese universities. By the start of 2008, Intel intends to have Multi-core Curriculum Programs in 235 universities throughout Asia and in over 400 universities worldwide.