Intel to support Kingdom's ICT vision

"Education is the foundation for leadership in today's knowledge-based global economy," said Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, who also chairs the United Nations Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Development.

Intel and the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced they will train more than 50,000 of the Kingdom's teachers on the application of technology to improve classroom learning. Approximately 1.5 million students are expected to benefit from the Intel® Teach Essentials program over the next 3 years. Intel and the MoE also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for Intel to act as a technical consultant to the ministry.

"The Intel Teach program is centred on the belief that computers aren't magic, but teachers are," Barrett said. "With trained teachers, local educational content, and access to technology - the Kingdom's youth will have an opportunity to realize the potential of their ideas."

Intel and Obeikan, a Saudi education development company, also launched Intel's skoool™ Learning and Teaching Technology. The interactive learning Web site will provide math and science lessons tailored for local needs by Obeikan.

Intel and King Abdul Aziz and his Companions Foundation for the Gifted (KACFG) announced that this will be the inaugural year for the Intel® International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Saudi Arabia program. The program will allow young Saudi inventors, through a local competition, to attend the international competition. More than a thousand students from more than 50 countries participate in the annual Intel ISEF.

Since Barrett's visit to Saudi Arabia last year, Intel has initiated several programs to cultivate technology skill development and knowledge transfer for the region. For example, Intel is working with the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals on engineering internships, job placement programs and fostering petrochemical research and development.

"Technology can expand what is possible to create opportunities for people across the Kingdom," Barrett said at the Economic Cities conference hosted by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). "Public-private partnerships are vital for expanding the reach of technology to benefit the Saudi people."

As an example, Barrett cited Semanoor's launch of the Saudi e-curriculum, which the MoE will deploy in public and private schools across the Kingdom. The local education software company loaded an Intel-based Ultra Mobile PC with teaching tools and the government-approved curriculum to help teachers tailor their own e-lessons.

Barrett also announced that Intel and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) signed an MoU today to conduct joint research and software optimization. Intel will help KACST establish a facility to foster the creation of local technology companies.

During his visit to the nation's capital, Barrett met with government and industry leaders to discuss progress made since Intel launched its Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East and Turkey 1 year ago.

Intel's Digital Transformation Initiative focuses on creating a sustainable environment that promotes technology skills development, knowledge transfer and jobs creation. The initiative also served as a catalyst for Intel's global $1 billion World Ahead Program to improve education and accelerate access to the computers and Internet.