Intel Supports Education in Palestine

Intel VP speaks at Palestine Investment Conference

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 25, 2008 - As part of its ongoing commitment to Palestine and in line with its active role within the U.S. Palestinian Partnership[1] (UPP), Intel announced today a range of education and digital inclusion initiatives at the Palestine Investment Conference.

Will Swope, Intel's Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Corporate Affairs Group, joined other industry leaders at the Palestine Investment Conference to talk about ICT development and education as key to a successful future for Palestine. "Being in Palestine today and witnessing the great talent that the youth have to offer inspires us to collaborate further with Palestinian educators and technology innovators to up-level education curricula and help drive ICT development," said William A. Swope. "Intel has been actively involved in education for forty years; we believe that students at all levels everywhere, deserve the chance to develop the skills to become innovators. From local schools to global universities, Intel works to improve the quality of education around the world."

During his visit to Ramallah today, Swope announced the launch of a new multi-core computer lab at Birzeit University in order for the university to expand their skills and class offerings to include programming models targeted toward multi-core platforms. Speaking at the launch event for the multi-core lab, Dr. Adnan H. Yahya, Dean of IT Faculty of Birzeit University commented: "Birzeit University is the first higher education institution to be established in Palestine. In addition to providing students with the opportunity to realize their academic aspirations, we encourage our students to be productive citizens and active members of their community. Our relation with Intel, an active player in enhancing education and technology in the Middle East, will help us work towards achieving this goal."

Intel also announced the expansion of the Intel® Higher Education Technology Entrepreneurship Program aiming to develop the ecosystem & prepare today's student innovators to become tomorrow's technology entrepreneurs. Intel with its collaboration with UC Berkeley's Lester Center will offer its global program on technology entrepreneurship curriculum and training to 5 Palestinian institutions. Also Intel in partnership with USAID will sponsor a business plan competition that will be organized by PICTI for students in order to further strengthen the entrepreneur initiatives in Palestine. Winners of the competition will be given an opportunity to participate at the annual global Intel +UC Berkeley Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge (IBTEC) scheduled at the Berkeley campus in Nov 2008.

The collaboration between Intel and PICTI when some of PICTI's staff members were nominated by Intel to participated in an intensive two-week training organized by Intel& UC Berkeley at UC Berkeley campus in 2007. Laith Kassis, General Manager of PICTI said "At PICTI, we design and implement initiatives that support the development of entrepreneurial business ventures with high growth potential. Our partnership with Intel and USAID allows us to further nurture the diverse Arab talents and enhances the growth of dynamic businesses in Palestine. We are indeed proud of this partnership and look forward to building on the successes we have achieved so far."

Further committing to Palestine, Intel re-opened the Intel® Computer Clubhouse in Ramallah after a full refresh of this community center with state of the art technology. Khaled Elamrawi, Intel Country Manager for Egypt, Levant and North Africa region said "This after-school program provides an opportunity for youth in under-privileged neighborhoods to interact with each other, be mentored by young adults from the community, and develop information and communications technology (ICT) skills.

Intel also started to work with Ministry of Education on a detail multi-year plan to provide Intel® Teach Program in Palestine and to donate 900 units of the Intel-powered classmate PCs to the schools in area to support this initiative.

Finally, in collaboration with USAID, Intel is committed to advancing connectivity in the West Bank to support economic growth and development in the region.

Intel's Palestinian Milestones:
2003 - Launch of the first Intel Computer Clubhouse in the Arab world in Ramallah with support from the Welfare Association. Currently supported by the Youth Development Association, aiding around 800 kids in Palestine.

2005 - Launch of the Palestine education initiative at the World Economic Forum in Jordan

2007 - Intel and PICTI train some of PICTI's staff members at an intensive two weeks training held at UC Berkeley in the US.

2008 - Participation at the Palestine Investment Forum and launch of the multi-core lab at Birzeit University in collaboration with PICTI.

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About Intel Corporation
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

About Intel World Ahead Program
The Intel World Ahead Program aims to enhance lives by accelerating access to uncompromised technology for everyone, anywhere in the world. Focused on people in the world's developing communities, it integrates and extends Intel's efforts to advance progress in three areas: accessibility, connectivity, and education. Intel's goal is not only to extend affordable PC access but to develop the PCs tailored to local needs, drive critical connectivity, cultivate sustainable local capabilities, and provide the technology education needed to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

• As part of the Intel® Education Initiative, Intel invests $100 million per year in education in collaboration with governments and educators in 50 countries.

• The Intel® Teach program has helped more than 4 million teachers in more than 35 countries effectively integrate technology into their classrooms to improve student learning. In the next five years, Intel plans to train 10 million more teachers on the effective use of technology in education, with the possibility of reaching another 1 billion students. The Intel® Learn Program is a community-based effort in which underserved youth ages 8-16 learn technology, critical thinking, and collaboration skills using an engaging, project-centered approach. To date, the program has been launched in eight countries and has reached more than 450,000 learners.

• Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is an after-school, community-based learning program aimed at youth in underserved areas. As of 2006, more than 110 clubhouses have served 50,000 youth across 20 countries.

• The Intel® Education Program works with more than 150 universities in 30 countries to advance technology innovation and develop a pipeline of technical talent.

• To support the effective use of technology in education, Intel plans to donate 100,000 PCs to classrooms in developing communities. In 2006, Intel has already shipped 10,000 PCs.

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* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

[1] An initiative launched by the US government on 4^th December 2007 and implemented through USAID.

Intel signed an MOU with USAID in 2006