Intel expands on World Ahead program in Palestine

As testimonial to its ongoing commitment and in line with its active role within the Palestine Education Initiative, Intel also announced a range of new education and digital inclusion initiatives at the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

As part of its support to the effective integration of Information and communication technologies inside the classroom, Intel announced it will broaden the Intel Teach program in Palestine in joint collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and the Ministry of Education in Palestine.

Intel Teach program promotes student-centered approaches and help teachers engage students in deeply relevant ways, with appropriate use of technology for learning, creativity, and communication.

Her Excellency Mrs. Lamis Alalami, Palestine Minister of Education and Higher Education, said:

"The Intel Teach Program offers proven professional teacher development for 21st century skills. Thousands of teachers in Palestine will be able to deploy effective solutions to enhance the quality of education. We are confident this collaboration will serve our goals of advancing our nation's economic and social development."

The Intel Teach program provides teachers, lecturers, school principals and ministry officials access to professional development training modules, curriculum materials and other resources that support 21st century skills in students and teachers. Intel has already trained a number of senior and master teachers who in turn will train 10,000 teachers in Palestine over the course of the next three years.

Gordon Graylish, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and Deputy General Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Intel Corporation, said:

"We are strong believers in the potential of youth and strive to support their growth and to empower them with knowledge and education so they can aspire to a brighter future. Over the last few years, Intel has trained more than six million teachers in over 40 countries spanning cultures, beliefs and background. For Intel, Palestine is not an exception."

The Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been providing support to back up and reinforce the Intel Teach Program in Palestine and the Arab world as part of a four year strategic partnership announced in 2008.

"Ever since Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation's launch in 2007, we have been led by our leadership's vision to empower a competent and skilled future generation that is capable of facing challenges for achieving sustainable development," said Adel Al Shared, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Managing Director, The Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. "Our goal is to enhance the capability of teachers in the Arab World and create inspirational leaders that are equipped to pioneer change in education."

Back in March earlier this year, Intel launched the Intel Learn program, a community based program that Intel announced it will deploy in Palestine at the Youth Development and Resource Centers (YDRCs), and the plan is to scale and roll out the program to all the 65 youth centers with the USAID.

Intel Learn program helps young students in developing countries to learn key skills, with a focus on technology literacy, problem solving and collaboration. The program works with governments and local organizations to create after-school programs and uses curriculum with project-based approach delivered in community technology centers. A team of coordinators from the four YDRCs received training on the program and a pilot project to train pupils was started in April with a plan to conclude by end of June this year. The program was launched in the region in Turkey and Egypt in 2005 and reached 150,000 pupils.

In its efforts to advance math, science, and engineering education and scientific research, it was also announced that this will be the inaugural year for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in Palestine. The program will allow young Palestinian inventors in grades 9-12, through a local competition, to attend the international competition, where more than 1,500 students from more than 50 countries participate in the annual Intel ISEF every year to compete for more than $4m in awards and scholarships.

Officials from the Ministry of Education, NGO Al-Nayzak and the Palestine National Authority are attending the Intel ISEF Educators Academy this year, which is a five days workshop that brings together a select group of educators and government officials from Intel sites around the world to explore proven, innovative methods of engaging students in the study of science and math.

This gives the opportunity to participants to exchange ideas and build networks, and experienced science fair organizers share resources and provide participants with valuable information about managing, organizing, and preparing students for science fairs, as well as get exposed to best judging practices.

In a bid to promote innovation and technology entrepreneurship, and as part of its Higher Education programs, Intel also sponsored the Business Plan Contest hosted by the Palestine Information and Communications Technology Incubator (PICTI). A total of 18 winning projects from the West Bank and Gaza were recently announced. Mr. Bassem Hadaydeh won the top prize for his "e-Drive" business plan.

The competition was also launched in cooperation with the Centers of Excellence at four Palestinian Universities including Birzeit, An Najah Polytechnic and Islamic University.