Intel® Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and the Hariri Foundation to develop its worldwide Intel Teach to the Future program in Lebanon.
The three-year program, part of the Intel® Education initiative, aims to train 10,000 in-service teachers to enable them to develop higher level thinking skills and enhanced learning in their students through the integration of technology into day-to-day lessons.
Speaking at a press event held in Beirut today, Lebanon’s Minister of Education, Dr. Khaled Qabbani, commented that Lebanon’s IT-based economy is rapidly growing as is the use of ICT in every fact of business and that as a nation, Lebanon has a duty to do everything it can to equip future generations with the skills needed to be competitive in the new knowledge economy.
“The Lebanese Ministry of Education consistently seeks ways to develop Lebanon’s education infrastructure and processes, and to improve its output, because education is the driving force in our society’s development and in taking the country to the next level of progress,” Dr. Qabbani added.
“We welcome all efforts by the public and private sector to enhance our education structure, especially ways of incorporating technology into the learning process, and on behalf of the Lebanese government, I’d like to thank Intel for its efforts in developing this program together with the Hariri Foundation for Lebanon’s teaching fraternity.”
The Intel Teach to the Future program has been created to help teachers expand the boundaries of their creativity, and the creativity of their students, beyond the walls of the classroom and to turn the power of computer technology into teaching tools that will captivate students, motivate them, and ultimately move them toward greater learning. Teachers learn how, when and where to incorporate technology tools and resources into their current lesson plans, create assessment tools, and align lessons with national standards.
The launch of the Intel Teach to the Future program in Lebanon forms part of Intel’s commitment to the “Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East”, which is a comprehensive, multi-year program that expands Intel’s economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the Middle East and North Africa regions.
Seven Lebanese senior trainers received the Intel Teach to the Future course back in December 2005 in Abu Dhabi, and currently adaptation to the contents is underway and it is expected to launch the first Master Trainers course end of June.
Speaking on behalf the Hariri Foundation, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bahia Hariri said, “The Hariri Foundation strives to build scientific, cultural, social, economic and health human capabilities, and to develop all fields of sustainable and comprehensive human development, to preserve Lebanon's cultural heritage and to protect its natural environment. We believe that Intel Teach to the Future program fits in perfectly with our mandate and we are looking forward to the results it will bring to the Lebanese youth,”
Ferruh Gurtas, Education Manager Intel, Middle East Turkey and North Africa said “Information and communication technology is a major influence in all facets of life and the Intel Teach to the Future program prepares today’s teachers for tomorrow’s demands and incorporates the use of the Internet, Web page design, and student projects as vehicles to powerful learning and enhanced ‘life’ skills. The Intel Teach to the Future program is not only designed to support teachers but for the needs and benefits of students in improving science, maths, engineering and technology education in the classroom. This will inevitably broaden career horizons both locally and internationally for them.”
Praising the parties who made this program possible in Lebanon, Alexandre Loucas Business Development Manager, Intel Lebanon and Jordan said, “The implementation of the program would not be possible without the help and support of Lebanon’s Ministry of Education and the Hariri Foundation, both of which are dedicated to comprehensive human development throughout Lebanon’s education environment.”
Established in 2000, Intel Teach to the Future program has since reached over 3 million teachers across 35 countries. In the Middle East, the program is being successfully implemented in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and recently celebrated the 3 millionth teacher milestone.
Education is a key element of the global World Ahead Program that Intel launched last month. This 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.
About Intel Teach to the Future
Intel Teach to the Future is part of the Intel Education initiative, collaboration with teachers in communities around the world to improve the quality of engineering, mathematics, science and technology education to help students develop the higher-level thinking skills they need to succeed in a knowledge-based economy. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.
Intel, Intel Teach to the Future and Intel Education are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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.
