Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 4, 2007: The capital of south Lebanon, Sidon, has earned the country's participation in Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) to be held in New Mexico, United States, in May 2007.  At this fair, young Lebanese high school students will compete with their peers from 45 countries. Lebanon's participation in the fair follows the success of Lebanon Science Fair, organized recently by Intel and the Hariri Foundation in Sidon, which brought to light the high level of innovation enjoyed by the students of Sidon in the areas of science, technology, environment, chemistry, physics and bio-sciences, among others.

"Intel realizes the power and importance of education. Through major initiatives such as the Intel Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East and Intel's World Ahead Program, we are working to raise student achievement and enhance academic productivity to support thriving communities around the globe. We firmly believe that education is the essential ingredient that will prepare us all for a changing future," said Rula Habash, Intel Education Manager, Lebanon and Jordan.

The students' science projects were judged by a panel of experts and met the scientific standards required for participation in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. The panel of judges, which consisted of Dr. Nazeer Shibbu, Dr. Hikmat Saad, Dr. Mohammed Akoom, Dr. Rami Al-Akoom and Dr. Mohammed Al-Majzoub, selected the best two projects to be showcased at Intel ISEF by their respective inventors.  

The schools awarded this participation on behalf of their students were Iman Secondary School, whose winning project allows the visually impaired to read information stored on their computers with the aid of a special touch pad, and the National Evangelical Arts School, whose students invented a device that measures the sugar level in soda drinks, juices and other beverages by passing them through a ray of certain frequency.  

The winning projects were among 13 others that won citation from the panel of judges. The projects were made by students from Rafik Hariri Secondary School, Sidon Public School for Boys, New Horizon School, Harat Saida Public Secondary School and the Sidon School.

The winning projects were announced in a ceremony held at the Hariri House in Majdalyoun under the auspices of parliament member Bahiyah Hariri, who announced that applications for patents will be made on behalf of the winning students. The ceremony was attended by the head of the South Educational Zone, Jamal Baghdadi, who represented Education Minister Khaled Kabbani, Malek Abdul-Khaleq, mayor of South Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammed Dali Balta, Mufti of the South, Rula Habash, Intel education manager for Jordan and Lebanon, and Akram Afara, project coordinator on behalf of the Hariri Foundation, in addition to representatives from the Educational Center for Research and Development, school principals, participant students and their families.

Intel believes that knowledge is the source of comparative advantage in today's global economy. "Technology enables the rapid evolution of ideas and industries, and those who benefit most are those who can innovate and adapt most quickly. For these reasons, success at the individual, and ultimately the national level, is linked to the quality of education.  Through ISEF, students must develop key 21st century skills such as digital literacy, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration.  They must also excel in mathematics, science, and engineering - the building blocks of technical innovation," added Habash.

Intel ISEF is part of Intel's World Ahead Program and Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East. It highlights Intel's commitment to enhancing education in the region. The Intel Education Initiative is a sustained commitment to prepare all students with the skills required to thrive in the knowledge economy. Through collaboration with educators and governments in more than 50 countries, Intel works to improve teaching and learning through the effective use of technology, and to advance mathematics, science, and engineering education and research.

Intel's education programs are adapted to the needs of individual countries and utilize an approach focused on building local competency for teacher training and technology innovation.

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About Intel ISEF
Intel ISEF is the world's largest international science fair representing all life sciences for students.  Every year, more than one million students in grades 9-12 participate in regional science fairs and nearly 500 Intel ISEF-affiliated fairs held around the world.  Thousands of students from different countries compete in a number of scientific categories in what is considered by some to be the version of a Nobel Prize for young scientists.  To learn how to participate in Intel ISEF, please visit: http://www.intel.com/education/isef/participate.htm

About Intel Corporation
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products, and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live.

© Press Release 2007