Released on: August 12, 2008, 6:51 am

Press Release Author: Wildfire PR / Computer Aid International

Industry: Computers

Press Release Summary: Leading University donates 500 retired PCs to Computer Aid
International

Press Release Body: London, August 12th 2008: The University of Nottingham is
helping disadvantaged schools in rural areas of Chile, South America, by donating
500 PCs to Computer Aid International. The donation marks a long-term commitment
from the University's IT department to extend the life of its out-of-use PCs and
laptops by donating them to the computer re-use charity, while ensuring full
compliance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive.

The ability to extend the life of its IT equipment by as much as four years was a
key factor in the University's decision to donate its IT equipment to Computer Aid,
which professionally refurbishes PCs and laptops for use in education, health and
community projects in developing countries. As an
Authorised Approved Treatment Facility (AATF), licensed under the Environment Agency
to handle WEEE, the University was also assured that its IT disposal policy would
meet all legal requirements.

Phil Andrews, of the IT Operations Team at The University of Nottingham, explains:
"The University's IT department has always donated obsolete equipment to good causes
as we don't like to see working equipment go to waste, but with the introduction of
the WEEE directive legal requirements had to take priority. Computer Aid provided
the ideal solution for our disposal policy. Instead of being broken down and
recycled, our PCs are given a new lease of life to help disadvantaged communities,
while Computer Aid provides all the legal documentation necessary to prove WEEE
compliance."

Using Computer Aid's asset tracking service, which launched in June 2007, The
University of Nottingham has been able to follow the journey of its donated PCs and
laptops to their final destinations in education projects and schools in the extreme
north of Chile.

Phil Andrews comments: "The tracking service has been really valuable. As a
prestigious education establishment in a wealthy country it's great to know that our
old equipment is being used to boost education in other parts of the world. We can
also communicate our corporate social responsibility efforts to staff and students,
to ensure they know how the University is helping disadvantaged students. Donating
our equipment was a very easy and straightforward process and we're committed to
working with Computer Aid in the long-term to help further projects across the
developing world."

Louise Richards, CEO of Computer Aid International, adds: "While the Republic of
Chile is one of Latin America\'s most stable and prosperous nations, the country
suffers from an uneven distribution of wealth. Government-run schemes to increase
access to ICT in education have made good headway, but children in extreme
geographical regions in Chile face a gaping digital divide.

"Maintaining provision of good quality ICT equipment to schools is essential to
ensure children grow up computer literate to improve their employability and future
quality of life. The University of Nottingham has recognised the positive impact
that their donations can make to the education of these disadvantaged children,
giving them computer skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. We
urge other universities and businesses to follow suit."


Call to action:
If you want to find out more about donating equipment to Computer Aid International,
please contact them direct on 020 8361 5540 or enquiries@computeraid.org, or visit
their website: www.computeraid.org .

Ends


NOTES TO EDITORS
Media contact:
Kate Solomon / Louise Andrews
Wildfire PR
Tel: 020 8339 4420
Email: computeraid@wildfirepr.co.uk


About Computer Aid International (www.computeraid.org)
Computer Aid International is a registered charity (no 1069256) and the world's
largest and most experienced not-for-profit supplier of professionally refurbished
computers to developing countries.

Since it was founded in 1998, Computer Aid has provided over 100,000 PCs to
organisations in more than 100 developing countries. Based in London, Computer Aid
International fully tests, professionally refurbishes, upgrades, packs and ships
Pentium 3 and Pentium 4 computers donated by UK companies for re-use in schools and
not-for-profit organisations overseas.

Computer Aid International is committed to providing the highest level
decommissioning service to its UK computer donors and to delivering the highest
quality refurbished computers to recipient organisations overseas. PC donors in the
UK include British Airways, Ford, Virgin, Investec, the National Audit Office, Royal
Mint, Packard Bell and Christian Aid. PC distribution in developing countries is
achieved through strategic partnerships with partners such as SchoolNet Africa,
British Council, UN-Habitat, and the national Computers for Schools programmes of
Chile, Kenya, Zambia and other countries.

About University of Nottingham (www.nottingham.ac.uk)
The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK\'s Top 10 and the World\'s Top 70
universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World
University Rankings.

It provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research,
and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as
Britain\'s \"only truly global university\", it has invested continuously in
award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003
its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won
the Queen\'s Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007
(Innovation - School of Pharmacy).

Its students are much in demand from \'blue-chip\' employers. Winners of Students in
Free Enterprise for four years in succession, and current holder of UK Graduate of
the Year, they are accomplished artists, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs,
innovators and fundraisers. Nottingham graduates consistently excel in business, the
media, the arts and sport. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree completion rates
are amongst the highest in the United Kingdom.

More information is available from Lisa Owen, Project Manager, Active Communities,
on +44 (0)115 846 8114, lisa.owen@nottingham.ac.uk; or Tim Utton, Deputy Director,
Communications, University of Nottingham on +44 (0)115 846 8092,
tim.utton@nottingham.ac.uk




Web Site: http://www.computeraid.org

Contact Details: Kate Solomon / Louise Andrews
Wildfire PR
Tel: 020 8339 4420
Email: computeraid@wildfirepr.co.uk