Intel launches META Higher Education Inititative in Egypt

Dr. Hoda Baraka, First Deputy to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Dr. Mohammed Sheirah, First consultant to the Minister of Higher Education, witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Intel Corporation and a number of Egypt's leading universities, to implement the Intel® Higher Education Program.

The universities taking part are Cairo University, Alexandria University, Ain Shams University, and the American University Cairo.

"Education and Information Technology (IT) competency are key contributors to Egypt's productivity and economic growth," said Dr. Hoda Baraka. "Technology facilitates an interactive, student-centered approach to learning which allows students to develop the higher-order thinking skills critical for success in today's knowledge-based economy, which is why we are delighted to be witnessing such an MOU between Intel and Egypt's universities."

'As the Egyptian government continues to increase its focus on developing science, engineering and technology skill-sets in order to support the 21st century's citizens, equipping people with instrumental ICT skills is key. We appreciate Intel's commitment to improving education today so that students will be able to thrive tomorrow,' said DR. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Sheirah, consultant, Minister of Higher Education.

Outlining Intel's commitment towards education, Dr. Martina Roth, Intel's Director of Education, for Europe, Middle East and Africa, explained that "The Intel® Higher Education Program is a sustained commitment in collaboration with educators to help today's students prepare for the demands of tomorrow.

'Education is the essential ingredient that will prepare us all for a changing future. 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."

Within the program 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.

"Intel's support of higher education curricula and research already extends to more than 100 universities in over 30 countries," said Roth. "By collaborating with top universities on programs and opportunities, Intel helps advance innovation in key technology areas and develops a pipeline of world-class technical talent for the knowledge-based economy. The program focuses on advancing innovation in key areas of technology, as well as developing a pipeline of world-class technical talent for Intel's future workforce and the global knowledge-based economy."

"Through its entrepreneurship program, Intel contributes to the stimulation of technology startup companies with particular emphasis on the emerging markets," said Karim Fahmy, General Manager Intel Egypt, Levant and North Africa. "Intel will help the universities in Egypt develop the ecosystem needed to support technology start up companies, as well as help provide the tools and connections to maximize probability of success for the startup companies."

The Intel Entrepreneurship Program will offer the universities a formal curriculum that will provide the needed business know-how to establish and grow a start up company based on the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business extensive entrepreneur curriculum, and will offer face-to-face Curriculum Development workshops with professors from UC Berkley, as well as university participation in an Intel supported regional/technology focused business plan competition.

"As part of the MOU it is also Intel's intentions to develop competency in Egypt's universities in the wireless technology field," adds Roth. "This Intel will do through offering use of the Intel model curricula available on Intel's website, by providing equipment to implement changes in curricula based on the Intel model curricula, technical lectures and trainings when they become available in the region, funding to universities to perform outreach and knowledge dissemination activities to other universities (curricula workshops, seminars, lectures), and by providing relevant local industry partner linkages to stimulate research and development projects."