NEPAD was represented by Dr Henry Chasia, Executive Deputy Chairperson, NEPAD e-Africa Commission ; and Samuel Mikenga, manager, public communications.

The launch took place at El Haddain Senior School in Al Bahaira.

The NEPAD e-Schools demonstration project involves six schools from each of the 16 participating countries in Africa.

The project focuses on providing end-to-end ICT solutions that will connect schools across Africa to the NEPAD e-Schools Network and the Internet. It also includes the provision of content, learning material and the establishment of health points at the schools.

Egypt is the sixth country to launch the project after Uganda, Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya and Rwanda. It is also the first North African country to launch the NEPAD e-Schools.

Said Dr Chasia : “NEPAD has put together an innovative public-private partnership to ensure the most effective and expedient implementation of the demo project. This partnership involves more than 50 companies, which are providing, deploying and operating appropriate end-to-end technology solutions, including human resources, to the schools allocated to them.

“This initiative is intended to graduate from our schools young people who are strong in body, mind and character ; who will be equipped with ICT skills to meet the challenges of the information society and knowledge economy”. Source : NEPAD News, 16 March 2007