Egypt 
report
EGYPT
Overview
Egypt faces significant challenges in harnessing its education system to promote its development plans. The government has articulated a vision of an information society in which widespread access to technology can nurture human capital, improve government services, promote Egyptian culture, and support economic growth, and the ICT sector has been targeted as a vehicle for this growth and social development. A national ICT policy has been adopted and is managed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, of which education is one priority. The Egyptian Education Initiative, launched by the First Lady, is a prominent result.
Country Profile
Egypt, which is sometimes referred to as the “Motherland of the World” and the “Land of Civilizations,” is famous throughout the world for its ancient civilization and 7,000 year history along the Nile River. It is an important political and cultural centre of the Middle East.
The Education System
The education system (pre-university) in Egypt is state-sponsored and set up in three stages: primary school (six years), preparatory school (three years), and secondary school (three years). Basic education consists of the first two stages and is obligatory for all students in the country. The higher education sector in Egypt comprises universities and institutions of technical and professional training. The system is made up of 16 public universities, 51 public non-university institutions, 11 private (for profit) universities, and 89 private higher institutions. Of the 51 non-university institutions, 47 are two-year middle technical institutes (MTIs), and four are four- or five-year higher technical institutes.
The Ministry of Education has jurisdiction for all levels of education through secondary school. The 27 governorates each have independent governance system. The state Ministry of Education is responsible for the planning, policy formulation, quality control, coordination, and follow-up for all levels of public education, including the universities. The state government is responsible for most of education finance for both educational systems. Egypt also receives aid from the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, and several countries. Curriculum guidelines for each subject, such as arts, literature, mathematics, sciences, and Arabic, are determined through a system of committees at the state level. Each subject-specific committee comprises consultants, supervisors, experts, professors of education, and experienced teachers. Once the committee has reached agreement, the curriculum guidelines are then referred to the Supreme Council of Pre-university Education for official release. Each governorate is responsible for implementing the guidelines.
Students take various exams throughout their formal schooling that determine the path that they will take. A primary school exam is administered at the end of the sixth year to test basic knowledge. The preparatory school exam at the end of the ninth year determines which school a student moves on to. Students with high scores continue on to a general secondary school, which qualifies them to attend university later. Those with low scores are directed to technical secondary schools, where students study commercial, industrial, or agricultural education and pursue careers as technicians, salespeople, secretaries, etc.
Infrastructure
MCIT supports participation of local and foreign capital through various public-private partnerships (PPPs). These include incubating technology transfer and offering training programs to young people graduates in co-operation with pioneering international companies, ensuring transparency in restructuring the ICT sector, co-operating with stakeholders in using ICT to improve service delivery to citizens, and showing commitment to the Universal Service Policy. Further, in June 2000, MCIT, in co-ordination with the private sector, formulated the Telecom Master Plan. This plan suggests strategic economic, business, services, and technical directions and a framework for Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure.
The Egyptian government has identified several ways to strengthen the local ICT industry and business sector in Egypt. These include attracting foreign direct investment, stimulating growth of the domestic ICT industry, and promoting exports of ICT products. Egypt is one of the world's most promising emerging markets, and the country has long been poised to become the information technology hub of the region. The government has made the establishment of a strong national ICT industry one of its top priorities and believes that it will contribute to the acceleration of economic development, promote exports, and increase employment opportunities. With its huge pool of trained ICT personnel and an expanding market, Egypt is increasingly attractive to foreign investment and must take advantage of opportunities to further develop the industry.
Current ICT Initiatives and Projects
Ministry of Education
Project: Multimedia Laboratories
Computer labs have been established in all public and experimental schools for the projection of multimedia programs using computers as a teaching aid. TV and video sets, enlargement projectors, and interactive CD-Roms and drivers have been provided for the kindergarten and primary stages. Out of the total number of schools in Egypt (39,926), currently 69.7%, or 27, 838 have computer labs with Internet connection (either dial-up or ADSL).
Project: Knowledge Sources Network
Twenty-seven “distance training halls” and 127 schools are using the Internet through direct contact. Over 4,000 schools use the services of electronic mail through the network of the Ministry of Education. A central “electronic library” has been set up with of CDROMs, videotapes, and books with teaching aids. All schools participating in the project can benefit from the remote access to the central library. The Internet services are being expanded to reach 4 Mbps to enable a large number of sites and schools to exchange files and share screens by sound, text, and pictures.
Project: Educational Satellite Transmission
Advanced schools have been equipped for receiving thematic educational satellite channels with the possibility of extension to remote rural schools
Project: Developing Educational Administrative Departments
Twenty-seven administrative departments have been provided with Centers of Training on Technological Development, equipped with multimedia laboratory equipment and receivers of educational satellite channels and training equipment on networks. Over 500 computers have been provided to the educational administrative departments for administrative automation and more than 400 for the analysis of educational statistics.
Project: International Education and Resource Network (iEARN)
Non-profit organization with over 15,000 member schools in over 100 countries. Children and young adults are collaborating on school assignments using the Internet and other communication technologies.
Project: Global Learning and Observations (GLOBE)
International project that aims to promote recognition of relevant environmental issues inside and out of schools. It aims to raise awareness of the environmental changes in the world today, provide knowledge, and give students a new vision. Students are encouraged to work in teams within the project.
Project: The Seed project
Part of the Intel initiative for creativity in learning, which aims for cooperation in education all over the world in the fields of engineering, mathematics, science, and technology learning. The program began in Egypt in 2004.
· Organization(s): Seed
· Funding source: Schlumberger (a private sector international petroleum company)
Project: NEPAD e-Schools Project
Focuses on providing end-to-end ICT solutions that will connect schools across Africa to the NEPAD e-Schools Network and the Internet. Solutions include the provision of content and learning material and the establishment of health points at schools. Egypt is the sixth country in Africa to launch the project after Uganda, Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya, and Rwanda, and the first in north Africa.
· Organization(s): NEPAD
· Funding source: HP and Oracle
Project: Mtandao Afrika (MAF)
Collaborative program for youth to form teams and develop educational Web sites. It is implemented in collaboration with SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting. Within the framework of the project, basic ICT training for over 400 participants from 10 governorates was conducted in 2006 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.
· Organization(s): MAF
· Funding source: Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Xceed Call Center
Project: The Minster of Education in Egypt has launched a new educational initiative addressing the Arab region. The program aims at promoting Arabic-language content on the Internet.
· Organization(s): Josoor Arabia
· Funding source: SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting.
Project: Global Teenager Project.
This is a collaborative learning program addressing secondary school students and operating in a number of schools in Egypt
· Organization(s): The Ministry of Education.
· Funding source: SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting
Project: Information System and Decision-making Support.
A database has been designed to cover all schools using Oracle software. Educational projections are being made on alternative assumptions. Linkages among different departments have been established for better co-ordination. Personnel are also being trained in the areas of: creation of databases, documentation by scanning, geographical information systems, and the creation of “expert banks.”
Project: The Electronic Educational Project
Aims to establish a new educational environment that provides distinguished education. The project started with three subjects: mathematics, English, and science. The project has a focus on activating self-learning principle and co-assessment, in addition to facilitating the publication of distinguished educational works whether they belong to students, teachers, or schools.
Project: Information Technology in Schools.
From January 2002 through June 2006, information technology in schools brought computers, software, and computer training to 14 schools, affecting 39,000 students in Egypt. The program also trained teachers to incorporate information technology into their lesson plans and created an online network that allows teachers to exchange lesson plan ideas and to access information on general ICT use.
· Funding source: USAID
Project: Training for Development
Training has two components related to ICT. The first is a video-conference distance learning centre that has been established to link 27 sites in all governorates and Luxor City in order to provide learning facilities in remote areas. This has reduced the cost and increased the number of female teachers. Over 370,000 individuals have been trained through 274 training courses and 47 special programs on practice and assessment. The second component is a training centre on networks and multimedia, which has been established in Al Haram to provide training for all the personnel in the field of education on using networks each in their own field of specialization. In addition, all teachers are encouraged to take the ICDL certificate by making it a prerequisite for future promotions.
Project: Production of Educational Aids
One hundred and thirty-eight multimedia programs have been produced for different stages of education, 75 films using computer graphics system have been made, and five multimedia programs have been produced for students with special needs, including a visual dictionary for the deaf.
Project: The Centre for Technological Development and Support of Decision Making
The Centre is provided with the necessary equipment in the fields of information systems, multimedia and videotape productions for transmission through the educational thematic channel. The Centre also produces computer programs, graphics, and animation; runs a virtual library; and develops modern management techniques for itself and the ministry.
Higher Ministry of Education
Project: Information and Communications Technology Project (ICTP)
The ICTP has established a digital library that now provides all public universities with on-line academic and research content and full access to over 22,000 international journals in almost all subjects to faculty and students. The design of ICT courses (elearning) has also been completed and was applied during the academic year 2006/07. Elearning activities are also progressing well with the design of 30 e-learning courses completed before end of 2006. One e-learning course was already applied during the academic year 2005/2006 for post-graduates of the various faculties of education of which 29 students have graduated.
Project: Faculties of Education Project (FOEP)
The FOEP sub-project has progressed well over the past 18 months and 54 competitive projects will soon be completed. Improving the infrastructure of the faculties of education is underway through the provision of labs, equipment, and Internet connectivity. Training programs are being implemented in all faculties of education, and four faculties have agreed to pilot reforms and have already developed new curricula that began to be implemented in 2005/2006 academic year. An additional 14 faculties of education took joined the reform efforts for the academic year 2006/2007, bringing the total to 18, representing 70% of the 26 faculties of education in Egypt.
· Funding source: World bank
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
Project: Technology Mobile Teams
Mobile laboratories have been provided to 25 out of 27 governorates (administrative departments) to transfer development to faraway villages and hamlets. The teams deal with teachers, students, parents, specialists, and administrators. They also participate in literacy programs.
· Funding source: Egypt ICT trust Fund, MCIT and UNDP.
- For more information: www.ictfund.org.eg
Project: Mobile ICT Unit
This project involves the use of buses specially equipped with functional media labs to service remote and poorly serviced areas. The units usually stop at schools and communities for up to two weeks.
· Funding source: Egypt ICT Trust Fund
Project: ICT for Illiteracy Eradication
The illiteracy eradication software designed by the ICT4IE (ICT for Illiteracy Eradication) is a simple, self-based, interactive computer tutorial that requires minimal input from the student to promote basic literacy. The pilot schemes were selected based on local illiteracy rates, availability of ICT clubs, and supervisory representation in both rural and urban areas. The first CD was tested and evaluated in 2004, with pilots being organized by GALAE and the National Council of Women in Qalubiya and Fayoum. These were evaluated internally and by the Social Research Center (SRC) of the American University in Cairo (AUC), and based on a comparison with six traditional illiteracy eradication classes in the same governorates it was apparent that retention rates were higher and learning was quicker by use of the CD-based media. The second CD was tested in 2005, and since then a contract has been issued to commence large-scale production of the double CD. The CDs are available to all who need them at no charge.
· Funding source: Egypt ICT Trust Fund
Project: The e-Learning Competence Centre (eLCC)
This initiative was set up to create a national e-learning program, establishing an organization to lead and co-ordinate all e-learning projects in Egypt.
· Funding source: Oracle, Microsoft, Cisco, Middlesex University, and Learning Institute
Project: ICT for Community Development
This project aims to increase computer literacy and skills among school children across Egypt, improve citizens' access to services and information, and reduce illiteracy.
· Funding source: USAID, Egypt Post, MCIT
Project: Stimulating ICT innovation
Two strategic decisions have been taken to stimulate the local ICT industry to innovate and stop the “brain drain” of Egypt's young ICT professionals. One is the Virtual Research and Development Centers of Excellence (CoE) and the other is the Technology Development Fund. The purpose of the CoE is to provide Egyptian researchers with the collaborative environment and support to make breakthrough innovations in the application of ICTs in traditional and new industries.
· Funding source: The Technology Development Fund is a public-private partnership established to invest venture capital in Egyptian start-up companies.
Project: The Smart Schools Network
First integrated move towards a comprehensive modernization plan for the Egyptian Schooling system. There are 38 schools in the first phase and 50 in the second phase.
· Funding source: Egypt ICT trust Fund
Project: IT clubs
This initiative is working to provide IT access to Egyptian citizens and communities and to leverage IT to improve standards of living and the socio-economic conditions. There are currently over 1200 clubs nationwide.
· Funding source: Microsoft Unlimited Potential
Project: Free Internet and broadband
The government's first major success in its effort to make technology more affordable came with the launching of the Free Internet Initiative in Cairo. The Free Internet project is a joint effort between MCIT and Telecom Egypt, in co-operation with the majority of Egypt's private Internet service providers (ISPs). The initiative offers subscription-free Internet services to users via dial-up to special-prefix numbers.
Project: PCs for Community
The PC for Community scheme evolved from the PC for Every Home project to increase PC usage and to attain the level of penetration to reach one PC per every three families. Banks offering credit payment facility also support the program.
· Funding source: Information Technology Industry Development Agency, Ministry of Education, Misr Bank, National Bank, and Egypt Telecom
Project: The Egyptian Education Initiative (EEI)
The initiative supports Egypt's overall education reform efforts and maximizes the potential for collaborative public-private partnerships to achieve its goals to provide ICT at an affordable cost
· Organization(s): EEI is a public-private partnership
· Funding source: MCIT, Ministries of Education and Higher Education, and World Economic Forum's IT member's community
Public Agencies
Project: Educational Satellite Channels
Produced 68 multimedia films. 9,478 schools, 27 educational directorates, 239 educational administrative units, and 25 mobile technological teams have been equipped with receivers of the transmission of educational satellite channels for use in schools of remote areas. In addition, in an attempt to make use of all potentials of the Egyptian Satellite (Nile Sat), the thematic educational programs have occupied 7 satellite channels. Transmission for schools started in November 1998. This will cover primary education, preparatory education, secondary education, technical education, languages and general knowledge. A special channel will cover the upgrading of teachers and another for literacy programs. Egypt plans to expand the network of distance learning to cover its 260 educational directorates. 45 were covered in 1999. The country also plans to connect the local centers with European and American institutions to train its teachers.
· Organization(s): The Centre of Technological Development and Decision-Making Support
Project: The Children's Library Project
Aim of developing interest in the bookmaking process, including printing and binding, alongside encouraging children to gain a wider literary experience.
· Organization(s): Bibliotheca Alexandrina
profile
EGYPT
Overview
Egypt faces significant challenges in harnessing its education system to promote its development plans. The government has articulated a vision of an information society in which widespread access to technology can nurture human capital, improve government services, promote Egyptian culture, and support economic growth, and the ICT sector has been targeted as a vehicle for this growth and social development. A national ICT policy has been adopted and is managed by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, of which education is one priority. The Egyptian Education Initiative, launched by the First Lady, is a prominent result.
Country Profile
Egypt, which is sometimes referred to as the “Motherland of the World” and the “Land of Civilizations,” is famous throughout the world for its ancient civilization and 7,000 year history along the Nile River. It is an important political and cultural centre of the Middle East.
The Education System
The education system (pre-university) in Egypt is state-sponsored and set up in three stages: primary school (six years), preparatory school (three years), and secondary school (three years). Basic education consists of the first two stages and is obligatory for all students in the country. The higher education sector in Egypt comprises universities and institutions of technical and professional training. The system is made up of 16 public universities, 51 public non-university institutions, 11 private (for profit) universities, and 89 private higher institutions. Of the 51 non-university institutions, 47 are two-year middle technical institutes (MTIs), and four are four- or five-year higher technical institutes.
The Ministry of Education has jurisdiction for all levels of education through secondary school. The 27 governorates each have independent governance system. The state Ministry of Education is responsible for the planning, policy formulation, quality control, coordination, and follow-up for all levels of public education, including the universities. The state government is responsible for most of education finance for both educational systems. Egypt also receives aid from the World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, and several countries. Curriculum guidelines for each subject, such as arts, literature, mathematics, sciences, and Arabic, are determined through a system of committees at the state level. Each subject-specific committee comprises consultants, supervisors, experts, professors of education, and experienced teachers. Once the committee has reached agreement, the curriculum guidelines are then referred to the Supreme Council of Pre-university Education for official release. Each governorate is responsible for implementing the guidelines.
Students take various exams throughout their formal schooling that determine the path that they will take. A primary school exam is administered at the end of the sixth year to test basic knowledge. The preparatory school exam at the end of the ninth year determines which school a student moves on to. Students with high scores continue on to a general secondary school, which qualifies them to attend university later. Those with low scores are directed to technical secondary schools, where students study commercial, industrial, or agricultural education and pursue careers as technicians, salespeople, secretaries, etc.
Infrastructure
MCIT supports participation of local and foreign capital through various public-private partnerships (PPPs). These include incubating technology transfer and offering training programs to young people graduates in co-operation with pioneering international companies, ensuring transparency in restructuring the ICT sector, co-operating with stakeholders in using ICT to improve service delivery to citizens, and showing commitment to the Universal Service Policy. Further, in June 2000, MCIT, in co-ordination with the private sector, formulated the Telecom Master Plan. This plan suggests strategic economic, business, services, and technical directions and a framework for Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure.
The Egyptian government has identified several ways to strengthen the local ICT industry and business sector in Egypt. These include attracting foreign direct investment, stimulating growth of the domestic ICT industry, and promoting exports of ICT products. Egypt is one of the world's most promising emerging markets, and the country has long been poised to become the information technology hub of the region. The government has made the establishment of a strong national ICT industry one of its top priorities and believes that it will contribute to the acceleration of economic development, promote exports, and increase employment opportunities. With its huge pool of trained ICT personnel and an expanding market, Egypt is increasingly attractive to foreign investment and must take advantage of opportunities to further develop the industry.
Current ICT Initiatives and Projects
Ministry of Education |
|
Project: Multimedia Laboratories Computer labs have been established in all public and experimental schools for the projection of multimedia programs using computers as a teaching aid. TV and video sets, enlargement projectors, and interactive CD-Roms and drivers have been provided for the kindergarten and primary stages. Out of the total number of schools in Egypt (39,926), currently 69.7%, or 27, 838 have computer labs with Internet connection (either dial-up or ADSL). |
|
Project: Knowledge Sources Network Twenty-seven “distance training halls” and 127 schools are using the Internet through direct contact. Over 4,000 schools use the services of electronic mail through the network of the Ministry of Education. A central “electronic library” has been set up with of CDROMs, videotapes, and books with teaching aids. All schools participating in the project can benefit from the remote access to the central library. The Internet services are being expanded to reach 4 Mbps to enable a large number of sites and schools to exchange files and share screens by sound, text, and pictures. |
|
Project: Educational Satellite Transmission Advanced schools have been equipped for receiving thematic educational satellite channels with the possibility of extension to remote rural schools |
|
Project: Developing Educational Administrative Departments Twenty-seven administrative departments have been provided with Centers of Training on Technological Development, equipped with multimedia laboratory equipment and receivers of educational satellite channels and training equipment on networks. Over 500 computers have been provided to the educational administrative departments for administrative automation and more than 400 for the analysis of educational statistics. |
|
Project: International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) Non-profit organization with over 15,000 member schools in over 100 countries. Children and young adults are collaborating on school assignments using the Internet and other communication technologies. |
|
Project: Global Learning and Observations (GLOBE) International project that aims to promote recognition of relevant environmental issues inside and out of schools. It aims to raise awareness of the environmental changes in the world today, provide knowledge, and give students a new vision. Students are encouraged to work in teams within the project. |
|
Project: The Seed project Part of the Intel initiative for creativity in learning, which aims for cooperation in education all over the world in the fields of engineering, mathematics, science, and technology learning. The program began in Egypt in 2004. · Organization(s): Seed · Funding source: Schlumberger (a private sector international petroleum company) |
|
Project: NEPAD e-Schools Project Focuses on providing end-to-end ICT solutions that will connect schools across Africa to the NEPAD e-Schools Network and the Internet. Solutions include the provision of content and learning material and the establishment of health points at schools. Egypt is the sixth country in Africa to launch the project after Uganda, Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya, and Rwanda, and the first in north Africa. · Organization(s): NEPAD · Funding source: HP and Oracle |
|
Project: Mtandao Afrika (MAF) Collaborative program for youth to form teams and develop educational Web sites. It is implemented in collaboration with SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting. Within the framework of the project, basic ICT training for over 400 participants from 10 governorates was conducted in 2006 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education. · Organization(s): MAF · Funding source: Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Xceed Call Center |
|
Project: The Minster of Education in Egypt has launched a new educational initiative addressing the Arab region. The program aims at promoting Arabic-language content on the Internet. · Organization(s): Josoor Arabia · Funding source: SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting. |
|
Project: Global Teenager Project. This is a collaborative learning program addressing secondary school students and operating in a number of schools in Egypt · Organization(s): The Ministry of Education. · Funding source: SchoolNet Africa and AGENT Consulting |
|
Project: Information System and Decision-making Support. A database has been designed to cover all schools using Oracle software. Educational projections are being made on alternative assumptions. Linkages among different departments have been established for better co-ordination. Personnel are also being trained in the areas of: creation of databases, documentation by scanning, geographical information systems, and the creation of “expert banks.” |
|
Project: The Electronic Educational Project Aims to establish a new educational environment that provides distinguished education. The project started with three subjects: mathematics, English, and science. The project has a focus on activating self-learning principle and co-assessment, in addition to facilitating the publication of distinguished educational works whether they belong to students, teachers, or schools. |
|
Project: Information Technology in Schools. From January 2002 through June 2006, information technology in schools brought computers, software, and computer training to 14 schools, affecting 39,000 students in Egypt. The program also trained teachers to incorporate information technology into their lesson plans and created an online network that allows teachers to exchange lesson plan ideas and to access information on general ICT use. · Funding source: USAID |
|
Project: Training for Development Training has two components related to ICT. The first is a video-conference distance learning centre that has been established to link 27 sites in all governorates and Luxor City in order to provide learning facilities in remote areas. This has reduced the cost and increased the number of female teachers. Over 370,000 individuals have been trained through 274 training courses and 47 special programs on practice and assessment. The second component is a training centre on networks and multimedia, which has been established in Al Haram to provide training for all the personnel in the field of education on using networks each in their own field of specialization. In addition, all teachers are encouraged to take the ICDL certificate by making it a prerequisite for future promotions. |
|
Project: Production of Educational Aids One hundred and thirty-eight multimedia programs have been produced for different stages of education, 75 films using computer graphics system have been made, and five multimedia programs have been produced for students with special needs, including a visual dictionary for the deaf. |
|
Project: The Centre for Technological Development and Support of Decision Making The Centre is provided with the necessary equipment in the fields of information systems, multimedia and videotape productions for transmission through the educational thematic channel. The Centre also produces computer programs, graphics, and animation; runs a virtual library; and develops modern management techniques for itself and the ministry. |
Higher Ministry of Education |
|
Project: Information and Communications Technology Project (ICTP) The ICTP has established a digital library that now provides all public universities with on-line academic and research content and full access to over 22,000 international journals in almost all subjects to faculty and students. The design of ICT courses (elearning) has also been completed and was applied during the academic year 2006/07. Elearning activities are also progressing well with the design of 30 e-learning courses completed before end of 2006. One e-learning course was already applied during the academic year 2005/2006 for post-graduates of the various faculties of education of which 29 students have graduated. |
|
Project: Faculties of Education Project (FOEP) The FOEP sub-project has progressed well over the past 18 months and 54 competitive projects will soon be completed. Improving the infrastructure of the faculties of education is underway through the provision of labs, equipment, and Internet connectivity. Training programs are being implemented in all faculties of education, and four faculties have agreed to pilot reforms and have already developed new curricula that began to be implemented in 2005/2006 academic year. An additional 14 faculties of education took joined the reform efforts for the academic year 2006/2007, bringing the total to 18, representing 70% of the 26 faculties of education in Egypt. · Funding source: World bank |
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology |
|
Project: Technology Mobile Teams Mobile laboratories have been provided to 25 out of 27 governorates (administrative departments) to transfer development to faraway villages and hamlets. The teams deal with teachers, students, parents, specialists, and administrators. They also participate in literacy programs. · Funding source: Egypt ICT trust Fund, MCIT and UNDP.
|
|
Project: Mobile ICT Unit This project involves the use of buses specially equipped with functional media labs to service remote and poorly serviced areas. The units usually stop at schools and communities for up to two weeks. · Funding source: Egypt ICT Trust Fund |
|
Project: ICT for Illiteracy Eradication The illiteracy eradication software designed by the ICT4IE (ICT for Illiteracy Eradication) is a simple, self-based, interactive computer tutorial that requires minimal input from the student to promote basic literacy. The pilot schemes were selected based on local illiteracy rates, availability of ICT clubs, and supervisory representation in both rural and urban areas. The first CD was tested and evaluated in 2004, with pilots being organized by GALAE and the National Council of Women in Qalubiya and Fayoum. These were evaluated internally and by the Social Research Center (SRC) of the American University in Cairo (AUC), and based on a comparison with six traditional illiteracy eradication classes in the same governorates it was apparent that retention rates were higher and learning was quicker by use of the CD-based media. The second CD was tested in 2005, and since then a contract has been issued to commence large-scale production of the double CD. The CDs are available to all who need them at no charge. · Funding source: Egypt ICT Trust Fund |
|
Project: The e-Learning Competence Centre (eLCC) This initiative was set up to create a national e-learning program, establishing an organization to lead and co-ordinate all e-learning projects in Egypt. · Funding source: Oracle, Microsoft, Cisco, Middlesex University, and Learning Institute |
|
Project: ICT for Community Development This project aims to increase computer literacy and skills among school children across Egypt, improve citizens' access to services and information, and reduce illiteracy. · Funding source: USAID, Egypt Post, MCIT |
|
Project: Stimulating ICT innovation Two strategic decisions have been taken to stimulate the local ICT industry to innovate and stop the “brain drain” of Egypt's young ICT professionals. One is the Virtual Research and Development Centers of Excellence (CoE) and the other is the Technology Development Fund. The purpose of the CoE is to provide Egyptian researchers with the collaborative environment and support to make breakthrough innovations in the application of ICTs in traditional and new industries. · Funding source: The Technology Development Fund is a public-private partnership established to invest venture capital in Egyptian start-up companies. |
|
Project: The Smart Schools Network First integrated move towards a comprehensive modernization plan for the Egyptian Schooling system. There are 38 schools in the first phase and 50 in the second phase. · Funding source: Egypt ICT trust Fund |
|
Project: IT clubs This initiative is working to provide IT access to Egyptian citizens and communities and to leverage IT to improve standards of living and the socio-economic conditions. There are currently over 1200 clubs nationwide. · Funding source: Microsoft Unlimited Potential |
|
Project: Free Internet and broadband The government's first major success in its effort to make technology more affordable came with the launching of the Free Internet Initiative in Cairo. The Free Internet project is a joint effort between MCIT and Telecom Egypt, in co-operation with the majority of Egypt's private Internet service providers (ISPs). The initiative offers subscription-free Internet services to users via dial-up to special-prefix numbers. |
|
Project: PCs for Community The PC for Community scheme evolved from the PC for Every Home project to increase PC usage and to attain the level of penetration to reach one PC per every three families. Banks offering credit payment facility also support the program. · Funding source: Information Technology Industry Development Agency, Ministry of Education, Misr Bank, National Bank, and Egypt Telecom |
|
Project: The Egyptian Education Initiative (EEI) The initiative supports Egypt's overall education reform efforts and maximizes the potential for collaborative public-private partnerships to achieve its goals to provide ICT at an affordable cost · Organization(s): EEI is a public-private partnership · Funding source: MCIT, Ministries of Education and Higher Education, and World Economic Forum's IT member's community |
Public Agencies |
|
Project: Educational Satellite Channels Produced 68 multimedia films. 9,478 schools, 27 educational directorates, 239 educational administrative units, and 25 mobile technological teams have been equipped with receivers of the transmission of educational satellite channels for use in schools of remote areas. In addition, in an attempt to make use of all potentials of the Egyptian Satellite (Nile Sat), the thematic educational programs have occupied 7 satellite channels. Transmission for schools started in November 1998. This will cover primary education, preparatory education, secondary education, technical education, languages and general knowledge. A special channel will cover the upgrading of teachers and another for literacy programs. Egypt plans to expand the network of distance learning to cover its 260 educational directorates. 45 were covered in 1999. The country also plans to connect the local centers with European and American institutions to train its teachers. · Organization(s): The Centre of Technological Development and Decision-Making Support |
|
Project: The Children's Library Project Aim of developing interest in the bookmaking process, including printing and binding, alongside encouraging children to gain a wider literary experience. · Organization(s): Bibliotheca Alexandrina |
Return to the world map.
For assistance, or further information, please click on the 
icons throughout the Observatory, or "Help" in the upper right corner or contact info@observatoiretic.org.
To leave a comment, or suggest a modification, please click on the 
icon associated with the appropriate indicator, or contact info@observatoiretic.org.