t6pr.com - Technology Venture Holdings Limited (61)

Hong Kong, April 28, 2003 - ChinaCast, a strategic investment of China-focused IT company Technology Venture Holdings Limited (TVH, SEHK: 61) has embarked on a new distance learning program for the Great West using its satellite broadband services platform. The Great West Distance Learning Program is a joint effort of ChinaCast and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, developed to provide vocational training content to eight remote provinces in the Great West including Inner Mongolia, Sha'anxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Guangxi and Guizhou. The program debut was held in Beijing on April 18, 2003 in the presence of Mr Zheng Shilin, Minister and Mr Zhang Xiaojian, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security.

It is an established state policy to develop the Great West, but the disparity in education and vocational training resources have been one of the major challenges to development, resulting in a rising number of laid-off workers from state-owned enterprises. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has therefore initiated discussions with ChinaCast in the lead up to the signing of an agreement in December 2002. It is agreed that ChinaCast would establish 16 broadcast stations in cooperation with local vocational training institutes, and the vocational training content developed by the Ministry would be delivered to the 8 provinces on Hughes Network's DirecPC® satellite platform provided by ChinaCast.

The Ministry has undertaken an intensive market survey to facilitate the design of demand-driven content. To address the needs of the unemployed workers in the Great West, the Ministry will commence the program with a course on "Entrepreneurship", designed by the Ministry in conjunction with the International Labour Organization under the United Nations. The course includes case studies of 100 successful entrepreneurs in China and interactive classroom sessions.

Mr Ron Chan Tze-ngon, Chairman of TVH and CEO of ChinaCast said: "There is tremendous demand for retraining and fundamental education in the Great West, but is currently underserved due to the lack of resources and infrastructure. Through deployment of our satellite broadcast platform, we are able to address this demand promptly and cost-effectively."

In addition to the Great West program, ChinaCast is also working with TVH and Northeast Normal University on teacher.com.cn, a continual education portal for teachers and principals across the country. Other collaboration projects include an eMBA program with Peking University and the operation of training centers for the Judiciary, People's Daily and China Coal Industry Safety Bureau.

"ChinaCast made its first advances into the education and training sector in 2000. It is now the country's leading provider with much room for further collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and other education and training bodies," concluded Mr Chan.

About TVH
Technology Venture Holdings Limited (TVH, SEHK: 61) is an information technology enabler focusing its systems-integration and software competencies on the banking, finance and newly emerged education and training sectors. It aspires to be a catalyst to facilitate the development of digital Asia by serving as a value-added bridge of advanced technology from developed economies and e-solutions demands in Asia. The Group also participates in satellite communications and distance learning markets in China through its strategic investment in ChinaCast.

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