The Egyptian-made handheld computers will be distributed over the next six months to students whom educational authorities believe will most benefit.

 

The deal was signed on Saturday between Mohamed Salem, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Hussein Khaled, the current Minister of Higher Education, with the co-operation of the Information Technology Industry Development Association (ITIDA), a government body which promotes outsourcing to Egypt.

 

Khaled said his ministry will shortly compile lists of which students will receive the computers. No further details were given on their selection criteria.

 

The distribution of PCs will help "technological excellence" in university education and also give encouragment to Egypt's technology industry, Khaled said.