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Latest news
Second World Conference on Optometric Globalisation
20/2/2008
11, 12 & 13 April 2008, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London
Hosts: the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) in conjunction with the College of Optometrists
The conference will address the political, humanitarian and commercial aspects of the development of effective, efficient policies and delivery care systems that improve visual health. Read more
Richard Meredith-Hardy's visit to Tanzania
31/1/2008
On Monday 14th January 2008, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Tanzania hosted Richard Meredith-Hardy and his team to raise awareness on the Bank’s Seeing is Believing initiative. Richard is already well known to SCB as he was one of the co-pilots who flew from London to Sydney in 2007 with Miles Hilton-Barber, the first blind Microlight pilot. Read more
Supporting Chulalongkorn University
16/1/2008
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) supports Thailand’s ivy league academic institution, Chulalongkorn University to develop software for the blind
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Pcl. in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University launched a project called "iSight Lab" to research and develop assistive technology for the blind.
Called "iSight Lab", the project aims to develop the first open source Thai TextToSpeech-equipped screen reader software, which will enable the visually-impaired to gain wider access to computers, be able to serve the internet and read electronic documents without any sighted assistance.
Mr. Jan Verplancke, Group Head of Technology and Operations, Standard Chartered Bank said the bank realizes the significance of this project as computers have become a major part of everyday life for most people today. However the visually-impaired not only have limited access to computers but the special tools that are available for them to access computers are expensive and have limited functionality.
The "iSight Lab" has been created with initial funding of 30,000 US dollars per year for three years. In addition, Standard Chartered will also supply computers and necessary peripheral equipment to the research group to undertake this project.
Upon completion of phase I, by the end of 2008, Standard Chartered Bank will integrate these tools into its Call Centre in Thailand.
*Photo shows at the academic and technical cooperation agreement signing at Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) headquarters, from left, Mr. Ashley Veasey, Standard Chartered Bank (Thai)’s Chief Information Officer; Mr. Jan Verplancke, Group Head of Technology and Operations, Standard Chartered Group; Prof Dr Direk Lawansiri, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Assoc Prof Satid Vongpradhip, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.
