Dubai, June 9th, 2011 (WAM) -- PC Refurbishment Center of Dubai Municipality has given 2,200 computers to the Ministry of Education for distribution to schools in different emirates in the UAE.

Eng. Hussein Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality launched the computer handing over ceremony at PC Refurbishment Center in Al Qusais. Ibrahim Boumelha, Vice Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment and a number of officials from concerned authorities were present on the occasion.

Loota said that until now, more than 90 thousand pieces of computer equipment and accessories have been collected and the Municipality gets a big response from institutions and donors from both inside and outside of Dubai. It is the first accredited center in the Middle East and it seeks to protect and improve the quality of the environment in the emirate.

The move comes under the Municipality's program for revamping computers and laptops. The initiative is aimed at individuals, institutions and the public to generously donate second-hand, damaged or discarded computers to the center. The items, after necessary repairs, will be donated to educational institutions, social and charity organization.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment is responsible for distribution of these devices to people in need, while Microsoft provides the technical support.

The computers will be donated to public schools in Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah through the respective educational zones, said Ibrahim.

"It also aims to enhance opportunities for the spread of IT education in the emirate by providing educational, social and charitable institutions with necessary technical resources, computers and IT products," he added.

The project encourages individuals, institutions or any other group of society to donate used and discarded computers and related items to the accredited centers of the municipality for repair and upgrading, in order to protect environment minimizing bad effects resulting from improper disposal of computers.

Hamdan Al Sha'er, Head of Environment Department at the Municipality said: "Computers and its components contain toxic substances including lead, mercury and lithium which can leak if disposed off improperly threatening the environment as well as human health.""Residents and businesses should consider donating this equipment rather than resorting to selling them for next to nothing or storing them or trashing. It helps the environment by avoiding these from going into landfills. It promotes charity and also supports education," he added.

Computers will be collected at any of the Municipality center in Al Tawar, Al Karama, Umm Suqeim, Hatta and PC Refurbishment Center.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.