Intel Corp. has donated some $3 million in computers and computer-chip manufacturing equipment to boost teaching and research capabilities here.

The equipment from Intel, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, will upgrade an array of laboratories and classrooms used by students and faculty in electrical engineering and computer sciences.

"Over the years Intel has been one of the most significant corporate supporters of the College of Engineering," said Paul Gray, dean of engineering. "The company's recent generosity extends and enhances the tools available to students and faculty addressing a broad spectrum of challenges in computer and electronics technology."

New facilities created by the gift were dedicated Feb. 18 by the dean and Dennis Carter, Intel vice president and director of marketing.

The new equipment includes 225 desktop computers and several powerful servers, valued at more than $1.9 million. With it, the campus is upgrading research computing capabilities and creating new instructional labs, many for introductory courses in computer science.

The gift will also benefit graduate students and faculty members involved in projects ranging from wireless computing to digital video broadcasting to optical modeling.

The Intel gift also brings $1.1 million in chip-making equipment to Berkeley, recycled from one of Intel' s most successful semiconductor manufacturing plants.

The equipment will upgrade the microfabrication laboratory, a unique working lab in which students and researchers fabricate their own integrated circuits to test their electronic designs and chip-manufacturing processes.

The Levi Strauss Foundation will endow a chair in international business at the Haas School of Business in honor of Thomas Tusher, recently retired president and chief operating officer of Levi Strauss & Co.

The total amount of the corporate foundation gift is $500,000.

"As architect of many of our company' s growth strategies, Tom Tusher played a key role in our tremendous financial performance and development of our international businesses," said Levi Strauss & Co. Chair and Chief Executive Officer Robert Haas.

"Beyond honoring Tom for his 27 years of remarkable contributions, the company hopes the newly endowed chair will inspire future generations of students to follow Tom' s example and pursue a career in international business."

"Tom Tusher is a rare business leader," said Haas School Dean William Hasler.

"He has a deep and wise instinct for key strategic issues and he never loses sight of the larger environment in which a socially responsible organization must operate.

"We are deeply honored by this gift from the firm he led."

Tusher received his undergraduate degree in 1963 and is an avid supporter of the campus.

A member of the Haas School advisory board since 1983, he was the first commencement speaker for the newly renamed Haas School of Business in 1989 and the keynote speaker at the faculty-alumni colloquium in 1990.