Intel launches Higher Education Initiative for Middle East, Turkey and Africa

Intel's higher education program, to be initially launched in Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, will collaborate with selected top universities to expand university curricula, engage in focused research, and encourage student participation in research throughout their education. The program will also propagate a culture of entrepreneurship based on Intel's vision that entrepreneurship is a major driving force in creating a knowledge-based society.

Developed by the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley, The Intel Technology Entrepreneurship Program includes curriculum, model business plan competitions, in-classroom exercises and other tools that university professors can use to educate technical graduates on the basics of entrepreneurship, seeking to create truly innovative business people with cross-disciplinary skills, technical expertise and the ability to seize market opportunities.

This program is best implemented by combining university curriculum and hands on expertise provided by entrepreneurs local to the university.

Additionally, Intel will provide collaboration and exposure opportunities to selected university researchers through their participation in the EMEA Academic Forum, an annual conference consisting of a 2-3 day convention of Intel Executives, Intel Fellows and technologists with leading Academics.

Martina Roth, Director of Education, EMEA, said, "Education is the essential ingredient that will prepare us all for a changing future. We aim to reach 40 universities and 62 thousand university students by 2010 in the META region.
New technologies will continue to transform the world in ways we cannot yet imagine. To be competitive in today's knowledge economy, we need to develop "world class" university graduates with breadth of knowledge and depth of skills.'

She added, "The launch of the Higher Education Initiative across Middle East Turkey and Africa is part of the Intel Digital Transformation Initiative - a comprehensive, multi-year program that expands Intel's economic, educational, and technology related support throughout the Middle East."

Intel's other educational activities already rolled out in the region include the Intel® Teach to the Future Program, which has trained over 3 million teachers on effective integration of technology to improve teaching and learning. Intel's focus on secondary education includes the sponsorship of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), which reward and recognize science excellence among high school students. Other efforts aim at providing outreach to underserved communities through the Intel® Learn Programs and the Computer Clubhouse Network.