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 …empowering Egyptian society to be able to take
advantage of the ICT available to them…
MCIT seeks to guarantee universal, easy, affordable and rapid access for all
Egyptian citizens to ICT, and stimulating awareness of the potential uses and
benefits of ICT. In this respect, MCIT has implemented a number of programs
with the chief aim of providing benefits to users, promoting computer literacy,
and encouraging increased use of ICT by the public.
- IT Clubs
- Mobile Internet Unit
- Egyptian Olympiad in Informatics
- Egypt PC 2010 – Nation Online
IT Clubs
The value of the
IT Clubs project is in its availability to the mass population. The
concept that has been applied since 2000 and has become so widely spread is
truly becoming a local window to the world.
The idea behind the IT Clubs is to provide each and every person in society the
chance to develop his/her skills and knowledge through the use of technology.
In this manner, the benefit is doubled. Computer literacy has become second
nature to many societies and individuals without which they find themselves
isolated and excluded. The challenge is great in a country like Egypt due to
the high illiteracy rate and the low incomes of many families. IT Clubs are
meant to make dreams a reality for all those interested in taking part in the
information society.
IT Clubs are the outcome of the cooperation of multiple players in the society.
Although MCIT is the main contributor in the project, it makes sure that the
private sector, public sector, individuals, and local communities are involved
to ensure success. MCIT believes that full societal involvement will guarantee
sustainability.
MCIT makes available, through cooperation with private sector, at locations
such as schools, clubs, universities, youth centers, computer labs fully
equipped with computers, printers, networks, access to the internet, and most
importantly the well-trained instructors. Priority is given to low income
areas. Participants have the opportunity to access facilities and services of
the club at any time for a nominal fee. Additionally, there is a wide spectrum
of courses offered to guide participants to fully utilize the technology in
their lives.
At the rate of almost 300 clubs established every year, MCIT intends to reach
every neighborhood in the country. The expansion is not only in the number of
clubs but also in the activities and target groups within each club. MCIT is
working on activities for those with special needs, and children who have
dropped out from the schooling system.
 Details
Mobile Internet Unit
It is the aim of the government of Egypt to provide access to each and
every corner in the nation. This has proven a challenge with the unbalanced
infrastructure setup and the accessibility to technical requirements for such a
provision. However, MCIT refused to give in to these obstacles and in an
agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian
Cooperation set it as its goal to expose rural and remote communities to ICT.
MCIT finds that such exposure is the key to acting as a catalyst in human
development resulting in shrinking the unemployment rates and increasing
productivity.
The Mobile Internet Unit, as the term suggests, is a vehicle that is equipped
with computers that travel to remote areas to provide access to technology and
entrance to cyberspace. The unit is not merely equipment but it is a
comprehensive program for members of the community to become equals with any
metropolitan resident. Courses are offered for computer literacy, internet
access, business skills, and more.
Details
Egyptian Olympiad in Informatics
It is critical to spread the notion of using technology for a purpose as a
means not as an end in itself. It is not enough to learn how to use the
technology efficiently, it is more important to understand how to apply it
effectively. MCIT found that the best category in the society to adapt to new
ideas and apply them with success is the youth. Since 2002, MCIT, in
cooperation with the Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Marine
Transport, has been organizing an annual competition in IT and programming; the
Egyptian Olympiad in Informatics (EOI).
The Egyptian Olympiad in Informatics incites the young to be active
participants in the society with their information technology and communication
knowledge and skills. From hundreds of applicants, around 60 are chosen to
participate in the contest. Participants’ age ranges from 6 to 20. The areas
that the competition covers have expanded since its initiation to accommodate
the new programs and courses provided. In this manner the EOI can be looked at
as a measure of ICT competitiveness and aptitude. It promotes the use of IT
tools to solve practical problems. It sheds light on the talented young in the
society giving them opportunity for success in the marketplace. EOI also
promotes and rewards innovation.
Details
Egypt PC 2010 – Nation Online
The PC for Every Home initiative, launched in November 2002, was restructured in
November 2004 through: the inclusion of National Bank of Egypt; the
introduction of electronic payment using credit card/point of sale (POS)
mechanisms; extension of warranties for PCs from one to three years; and
provision of call center services with a dedicated number (19246). In addition,
Banque Misr and National Bank of Egypt branches took on the task of serving
customers in place of Telecom Egypt central exchange offices, significantly
increasing accessibility.
In 2006 the PC for Every Home initiative, launched in November 2002, and
restructured in November 2004, underwent another major restructuring to become
a national program under the name “Egypt PC 2010 – Nation Online”. The main
improvements include the provision of loans via normal credit banking
procedures (alongside the use of telephone lines as collateral); greater
protection of end-user rights through the introduction of various quality
assurance mechanisms; and establishment of a customer service website.
It is envisaged that the PCs for the Community initiative, through the Egypt PC
2010 – Nation Online program, will cover 3 million families by the end of 2010,
with greater focus on citizens in the C and D economic brackets. This would
represent coverage of at least 25% of Egyptian families. Currently, only 7% of
Egyptian families own PCs, the majority from the A and B economic brackets.
To actualize affordability of computers, cooperation with international
technology providers was realized to reach discounts up to 50% on hardware.
Partners include Microsoft, Intel, AMD and Via Technologies.
Egypt PC 2010 focuses on three categories of PCs: Family; Desktop Mid/High-End;
and Laptop. The Family Category offers two models starting at LE 1,585 with
monthly installments of LE 43. The Desktop Mid/High-End Category, intended for
professional/specialized use, offers two models starting at LE 2,900 with
monthly installments of LE 84. The Laptop Category, for
professional/specialized or personal use, offers two models starting at LE
3,990 with monthly installments of LE 114.
Details
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