Intel awards scholarships and internships to students across the region

In Jordan and Turkey, five students respectively were also awarded an opportunity for a scholarship program for the remaining period of studies.

The program was launched in November 2005 and has been rolled out in Egypt, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In Jordan, this program was implemented in collaboration with the MoICT and the Ministry of Higher Education whereas in Egypt, Intel worked closely with the Ministry of Higher Education and MCIT to kick off this education program.

The 'Intel Engineering Excellence Program' was the first initiative to be rolled out under Intel's Digital Transformation Initiative which endorses technology skills, knowledge transfer and economic development in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa.

'The 'Intel Engineering Excellence Program' offers numerous social and economic benefits to students in each of the participating countries and in the region,' said Abdulrahman Jarrar, Regional Government Affairs Manager, Middle East, Turkey, Africa.

'The program focuses on developing critical information and communication technology skills and facilitating knowledge transfer within individual countries and across borders, which are key needs of governments throughout the region. It is representative of Intel's commitment to help drive economic development and job creation; this enables Middle East citizens to become more competitive in the global marketplace and thus accelerate the overall growth of the region.'

Intel's Digital Transformation Initiative is a comprehensive, multi-year program that will expand Intel's economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the region. Intel already has significant on-going IT activities underway in several countries throughout the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa. The company currently works with several local governments, educational institutions, businesses, NGOs and non-profit organizations, program developers, local businesses, and other groups and organizations to expand the use and understanding of technology.

'Moving forward, as part of our recently launched global World Ahead Program, we anticipate enhanced support for local technology entrepreneurs as part of our focus on enhancing digital accessibility and education,' added Jarrar. 'We continue to inject resources and funds into our education initiatives with the aim of making the latest information and communication technology more widely accessible to the community at large.'