What applications does the center mostly pay attention to? Have these applications been actually executed?

We believe in specialization and that is why the center is now working on how to deal with Arabic language through computers that can perform a huge number of tasks such as translating, recording and text conversion. The Arabic language occupied an important category especially with the existence of the Internet because knowledge exists in different languages. Sakhr and IBM were the first two companies in the field of Arabic language applications and we are proceeding with what they have reached to, modern computers now possess more than a processor, the thing that shall change the shape of computer sciences in the 15 coming years and we have to possess experiences that cope with these changes. One of the new applications was executed along with Alexandria Library to design a model so that the library can act as a source to information and not just as information content.

What are the reasons behind choosing Egypt for the establishment of a center that serves the ME? What are the growth opportunities in Egypt?

The Egyptian government created the suitable atmosphere represented in the keenness of Egyptian Prime Minister Dr Ahmed Nazif and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr Tarek Kamel on paying attention to IT graduates and their belief in that development and growth taking place in Egypt is based on using technology and offering infrastructure in addition to the presence of Egyptian experiences that have proved themselves abroad. That comes in addition to the numbers of graduates whom if we paid attention to at the moment, we shall build experiences in certain fields using IT as the center is considered a core in this exact field. Exerting effort is never enough.

How were human calibers and efficiencies trained and did you face obstacles?

We faced difficulties at the beginning of the process and we have a plan to choose and assign individuals as the perfect atmosphere must exist for these individuals to clear their minds and innovate. The problem we are facing is that we don’t want only hard working individuals or calibers but we need calibers that are capable of thinking and innovating.

Is the center paying attention only to Arabic language applications?

No, the center pays attention to all languages’ applications and not only the Arabic language but the Arabic language shall possess the biggest share.

What is required to encourage International companies to inaugurate Innovation labs?
What is the government’s role in supporting the center?

We have to create competition in this field…We need companies that can compete with Microsoft if this center succeeded. Some companies might be jealous and might be establishing Innovation labs in Egypt but although the government isn’t limited in action but we are demanding more…We need more attention to this place especially concerning transportation and we wish some changes in work laws in addition to customs and taxes facilities as some devices are being imported not for commercial use but for researches.

How shall the center assist in improving the Egyptian IT industry positive image?

The ministry aims at reversing the value of money that was invested in the communications and IT sector on the ordinary citizen through services based upon information. An ordinary citizen has demands such as education and health services. Concerning education, there is an application that is based upon linking universities to each other through an information network, the thing that was applied as well to schools enabling parents to interact with the school through the Internet in addition to the student’s interaction with professors in universities through this network. The ministry’s goal is for people to feel this network and to interact with it and use it.

What is the center’s investing cost?

This center is considered the second of its kind in the world after Germany and I can say that 90% of this center’s investments are the individuals.

Which category of people shall feel the importance of such a center?

We are not addressing only individuals but we are addressing researchers as well considered as the category that we wish the day would come for those researchers to compete in spending sometime in this center for free. By that time, we can say that we have achieved our goals and reached the required quality, it is not that far anyway as this might happen in 2 to 3 years.