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The arrangement with a local hardware manufacturer is part of Intel's ongoing effort to advance Egypt's technological, industrial and economic development. The Egyptian government gave the plan its full support in an agreement signed today between Intel, Boraq for Electronics and Industries and Egypt's Information Technology Industry development Authority (ITIDA).
Barrett witnessed an MOU signing with Nile University (NU), a private institution that focuses on supporting a vibrant, technology-driven economy in Egypt. Barrett also dedicated a new technology development lab donated by Intel to Nile University, and announced a second agreement in which Intel and NU will work together to support Egypt's higher education initiatives.
"Dr.Barrett's visit shows the commitment of international companies to setting up projects in Egypt to serve the region. As part of the 'Intel World Ahead Program', this agreement is the first of its kind and is set to kick off the assembly of motherboards locally in Egypt and export to the region. Intel will be committed to training the Egyptian workforce at the assembly plant as well as supporting the sales and marketing functions, while Egypt's Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) will provide the necessary support for the export of these motherboards,"said Dr. Tarek Kamel, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.
"Intel has made a sustained commitment to help Egypt's government develop its information technology industry. We believe that the cooperative programs we put in place today will lead to further successes in achieving the country's economic objectives such as teaching technology skills at a young age,"said Barrett, who is making his third visit to Egypt on behalf of the Intel World Ahead Program.
Barrett, who also chairs the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, noted that Intel's move to enable motherboard assembly in Egypt aligns closely with goals outlined in the government's Egypt 2010 strategic plan. Those goals include stimulating the economy, attracting technology-related business, and developing a thriving export industry for information technology (IT).
Boraq for Electronics and Industries is the first company in Africa to assemble Intel motherboards. Shipping is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2009, with initial distribution intended for Africa.
Supporting Egypt's Higher Education Initiative
The Intel-donated technology lab that opened today at Nile University is associated with the school's Nanoelectronics Integrated Systems Center (NISC). The new lab will focus primarily on research and development of new technologies. Barrett said Intel and NU share a desire to nurture local talent and foster growth in a skilled workforce in Egypt's electronics industry.
Those common interests also drove the cooperative agreement signed today between Intel and NISC. Intel and NISC will focus on knowledge and technology exchange, co-training and collaborative R&D. Intel's role will include providing student internships in the United States, sponsoring post-graduate fellowships for engineers in Egypt, and supporting NISC with equipment and course materials.
"We believe that collaboration with multinationals like Intel is key to helping Egyptian students interact with technology at a young age and to channel their energies into innovative ideas," said Dr. Tarek M. Khalil, president and provost at Nile University. "It is a springboard to research and development. Dr. Barrett's attendance today is testimony to the commitment Intel has to up-level IT integration in academic arenas."
Earlier in the day, Barrett was hosted by Egypt's First Lady Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak to discuss the Egyptian Education Initiative and Intel's recommendations for advancing education through teacher training, 1:1 computing and other programs. Barrett also met with Egyptian Prime Minister Dr.Ahmed Nazif and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr.Tarek Kamel. They discussed ways that Intel can help advance technology adoption in Egypt and develop Egypt's ability to compete in the global IT sector.
Barrett concluded his visit to Egypt by inaugurating a new Intel office in Smart Village Cairo, a technology-focused business park that is home to a growing number of IT industry companies. The office includes a lab where visitors can watch demonstrations of the latest information and communications technologies, such as Intel multi-core processors and WiMAX broadband Internet connectivity.
Posted by Rana Mesbah
