Digital Egypt Cubs Initiative (DECI) was launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in May 2022. DECI is a program offered free to top-performing students, from the first year of preparatory school to the second year of secondary school, in Egyptian schools nationwide.
 
The idea behind DECI is to equip youngsters with IT skills, helping create young talents with proven competence in emerging technologies and fulfilling the national vision of keeping up with the sciences and requirements of tomorrow’s labor market.
 
The initiative targets upskilling 3,000 students in Egyptian schools nationwide, in cooperation with national and international agencies specializing in different fields of technology, covering scientific and educational aspects. The program also includes activities that help develop soft and leadership skills.
 
DECI is part of MCIT capacity-building strategy, which is implemented following a multilayered bottom-up approach. The initiative complements other MCIT programs aimed at introducing young people to IT tools to keep up with the digital era.
 
Starting their journey off, DECI participants study a foundation program that introduces the basics and tools of modern technology, helping hone their technology skills. The students, then, enroll in a specialized track of their choice, in a number of areas, including digital arts, software development, network and information security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and robotics.
 
They also receive training on personal, life and leadership skills such as communication and presentation skills, time management, team building, planning and leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
 
DECI combines both theoretical and practical study. The schedule of the initiative does not overlap with the school days or the exam dates announced by the Ministry of Education. The training is carried out through a hybrid model: 75% of the program is conducted online and 25% at training facilities located in different governorates. Such model helps students do their practical assignments.
 
At the end of each academic year, outstanding students receive valuable prizes and all the students who passed the exams are awarded certificates by MCIT.
 
Admission criteria
Applicants should pass the following assessments:
- An English language test for measuring language competence
- An IT basics test for measuring technology skills and computer literacy
- An aptitude test for measuring logical, arithmetic and interpersonal skills
- A specialized exam for the chosen technological track
- A personal interview
 
Technological Tracks
Each applicant choses to study one of several tracks. After completing the program of study, the applicant obtains a certificate by MCIT. The available tracks include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Software Development
- Data Science
- Embedded systems
- Digital Arts
- Network and Information Security
 
Life and Leadership Skills
Students are trained on personal, life and leadership skills throughout the training through exposure to various topics including:
- Communication and presentation skills
- Time management
- Team building
- Ethics and behaviors
- Planning and leadership skills
- Creative thinking
- Environmental awareness
- Sustainable development
- Entrepreneurship
- Freelancing
 
Application Requirements
Applicants must have a real desire to learn IT in general. They must read the general rules and conditions governing DECI, understand the admissions criteria, agree to the training schedule, and fill out and sign a pledge/declaration form.
 
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Age: 12-17 years old
- School years: from the first year of preparatory school to the second year of secondary school (Grades 7-11)
- Be enrolled in a public, private, experimental, or international school in Egypt
- Have basic knowledge and computer literacy
- Have the ability to learn online
- Demonstrate excellence in mathematics, science and English, with a minimum average grade of 90% or higher

For more information on DECI, kindly visit the initiative website , call 15388, or visit the official Facebook page.