Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, 3 December 2007- In a bid to continue enhancing the benefits of localised content and multi-media technology and to advance student education across the Arab world, Intel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arab Thought Foundation to establish the parameters for future collaboration on education programmes in the region.
The MoU was signed during the foundation's 6th annual conference in the presence of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Arab Thought Foundation President, by Dr. Soliman Abdel Moniem, Foundation Secretary General and John Davies, Intel Vice President Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager Intel World Ahead Programme.
"We are always looking for partners who can add value to our efforts in the region. Through its World Ahead Program, Intel has, over the recent years, shown a real commitment to the region. We are happy to be able to join forces with them today to pursue better education for more and more people across the Arab world," says Arab Thought Foundation Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Trustees Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal.
Working with key local companies and Governments across the Arab world, Intel aims to support effective use of technology in education and enhance the lives of millions of people.
"One of our top priorities is to support education projects and we look forward to collaborating with the Arab Thought Foundation to achieve this in the Arab World," says Davies.
"Through a sustained public-private partnership with educators, foundations and governments in more than 50 countries, we deliver programmes that improve the effective use of technology to enhance 21st century skills, and encourage excellence in mathematics, science, and engineering."
Furthering its commitment to the Arab world, the Arab Thought Foundation joined forces with Intel and jointly pledged to donate 9,000 units of the Intel-powered classmate PCs to selected communities in Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan.
This is the first relationship of its kind in the region and comes as part of the Arab Thought Foundation's efforts to set an example for others to follow suit.
The Intel-powered classmate PC is part of the Intel World Ahead Programme to tap the combined power of technology, curriculum and teachers to improve education in developing countries.
Intel will work with these countries to establish plans that include working with local industry to provide Internet connectivity, offering professional training for teachers on how to effectively use technology to improve teaching under the Intel® Teach programme and developing local content such as the science and math curriculum based on Intel's skoool™.
Intel's skoool™ is an award-winning online digital learning tool that offers a scalable, multimedia, multi-device learning solution to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.
Through the Intel World Ahead Programme, Intel aims to enhance lives by accelerating access to uncompromised technology for everyone, anywhere in the world. Intel focuses its efforts to advance progress in four areas namely accessibility, content, education and connectivity.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the foundation's Fikr 6: Arab Strategies for the Global Era conference, which starts at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, today.
The three-day event, under the patronage of HH King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, comprises Arab scholars, entrepreneurs and strategic thinkers meeting under one roof to exchange ideas and share experiences that are facing the region today.
-Ends-
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
About Arab Thought Foundation
The Arab Thought Foundation is an independent, non-governmental international foundation with no political or sectarian ties. It is an initiative between intellectuals and businessmen to promote attachment to Arabs permanent principles, values and morals. It is concerned with all fields of knowledge covering sciences, medicine, economics, administration, media, literature and the arts. It exerts great efforts to unify the intellectual and cultural action that advocates Arab solidarity, development and preservation of Arab identity.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
For more information please contact:
Dalia Najjar,
Hill and Knowlton
Tel.: + (971) 4 3344930
E-Mail: dalia.najjar@hillandknowlton.com
© Press Release 2007
