General FAQs for DECI What is the DECI (DIGITAL EGYPT CUBS INITIATIVE)? The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology launched a new initiative under the name “Digital Egypt Cubs Initiative (DECI)” with great emphasis on developing the technological capabilities of the Egyptian youth by providing them with cutting-edge, top-of-the-line facilities and workshops to equip them with all the necessary skills to be updated with the technological advancements of the world in the field of communications and information technology. The initiative is a fully funded grant provided by Egypt for the rising generations of students (Grade 7 to Grade 11) from all schools across the country. The initiative ranges from one to five years, according to the age and academic level of the applicant. Those wishing to join the initiative must fulfill the application requirements and admission criteria for each academic year. This program is free of charge and available to all eligible learners who successfully pass the application on the DECI website. What is the program duration? The initiative ranges from one to five years, according to the age and academic level of the applicant. For example, the journey duration would be only one year for applicants who are in grade 11, two years for applicants who are in grade 10, three years for applicants who are in grade 9, Four years for applicants who are in grade 8, and Five years for applicants who are in grade 7. What is the duration of the program within one school year? The duration of the initiative within one school year would be 6 months in total (5 academic months and one month during the summer vacation ). How can I benefit from this program? Students will be offered programs in emerging tech skills which will be progressive in nature from foundational to professional. Students have the opportunity to work on real-world projects designed by industry experts to build their portfolio of skills and learn one of four core skill sets to prepare them for a career in a job of the future. Readiness and high engagement to join STEM higher education or universities. What does the learner journey look like as part of this program? As a student of the DECI program, you will have a 6-month blended-learning journey (5 academic months along with 1 month of practice) You will also receive an achievement certificate after successful achievement of each level Throughout your entire learning journey, you will have access to an online community platform, where you will get to ask other students and mentors for support to help you through any learning difficulties or even to network! Will the program take place during the academic year? 75% of the learning journey will be online during the academic year, where students attend a weekly session on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) + 25% will be attending physical sessions once a month in a dedicated location. Can I apply to this program while I am already enrolled in another scholarship/program? We advise against it since the program is full of activities and needs dedicated attention. Are there any fees for enrollment? No, this is a free scholarship program funded entirely by MCIT What are the eligibility criteria for enrollment? Applicants must meet the following criteria: Submit the online application form at https://deci.gov.eg/ Get shortlisted by MCIT and pass the technical assessment MCIT will select the top candidates at the end of the application process, this program is of limited capacity, and only the top candidates will be selected to join To apply, you should fulfill the following: Be 12-17 years of age You must be registered in a public/private/international school (preparatory year 1 till secondary year 2) Be clustered in governorates where training partners are located You are committed to attending the online and onsite face-to-face sessions You have access to a PC/laptop and internet connection, personal or through MCIT support How do I apply for the program? For this year, we are not accepting new applications but stay posted for next year’s applications at https://deci.gov.eg/ How will I know if I am accepted for the scholarship? We will contact you via email. So, please make sure to check your e-mail frequently. Please use one email for everything during the program, and make sure to check your spam folder to see if you received emails from our side. Can I join two Programs (levels// specializations)at the same time? Unfortunately, this is not possible as you will only be accepted at one level only at a time. We recommend that you apply for the level you are most interested in. Can I cancel an application I submitted? A fully submitted application cannot be deleted. Please ensure you are submitting accurate and correct information and that you are committed to the program timelines before submitting your application. Contact info@deci.gov.eg if you want to withdraw. Will you provide us with any kind of career support? No, but the program will focus on building leadership, communication, logical thinking, and leadership skills for the learners. Can I withdraw after I am enrolled? There are no withdrawal options available in the program. You should only join this program if you are committed to learning and graduating within the defined timeline of the program. In case of an emergency withdrawal request, contact info@deci.gov.eg. In some special cases, you won’t be fined upon accepting your withdrawal request. Can I postpone studying after getting accepted? There are no postponing options available in the program, and in case you did not commit to your studying journey, you will be revoked, but you can still apply after the following year and abide by any new program rules announced that year. Where will the physical sessions take place? Physical session locations will be announced after applications close, and it will be according to the number of students at each governorate. Can I switch my level in the same academic year? There is no switching level option in the middle of the learning journey, and you need to commit to your assigned level. When you successfully pass your level, you can apply next year for your preferred level in case you are eligible according to the initiative rules next year. How to keep my seat in the program? To avoid being revoked from the program, kindly make sure to follow your weekly schedule and attend your weekly Connect sessions. Attend all of your physical sessions. Keep up with your classroom concepts according to your weekly schedule and Follow all of the initiative rules mentioned in the Student handbook. You will get a copy of the handbook upon acceptance. Make sure to carefully go through it.
