The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has launched Digital Egypt Cubs Initiative (DECI) in light of the directives issued by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. 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.
 
It aims 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 is co-implemented by MCIT and the Ministry of Education, targeting upskilling 3,000 top-performing students in Egyptian schools nationwide, in cooperation with national and international entities specializing in different fields of technology, covering scientific and educational aspects. DECI also includes activities that help develop soft and leadership skills.
 
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat has stated that 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, and provides school students with in-depth training.
 
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.
 
The initiative combines both theoretical and practical study. The training schedule does not overlap with the school days or the exam dates announced by the Ministry of Education. The initiative is carried out through a hybrid model: 75% of the training is conducted online and 25% of it at training facilities located nationwide. 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.

For more information on DECI and to explore the admission criteria, kindly visit the initiative website, call 15388, or visit the official Facebook page.