Tarek Kamel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tarek Kamel
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| Egyptian expert on global Internet governance | |
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| Born | 8 May 1962 |
| Died | 10 October 2019 (aged 57) |
Tarek Kamel (born May 8, 1962 – died October 10, 2019) was an important Egyptian leader and computer expert. He played a huge role in bringing the internet to Egypt and helping people connect online. He also served as a government minister, working to improve technology and communication for everyone in his country.
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Growing Up and Learning
Tarek Kamel was born in Cairo, Egypt, on May 8, 1962. He went to Cairo University and earned a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He then continued his studies there, getting a Master's degree in the same field.
From 1989 to 1992, he studied in Germany at the Technical University of Munich. He worked on his Ph.D. in electrical engineering and information technology. He received support from a program called the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
His Work and Achievements
Tarek Kamel started his career helping with computer networks. He worked for the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. Later, he became a researcher at the Electronics Research Institute.
Bringing the Internet to Egypt
When he returned to Egypt from Germany, he became a manager at a government center that helped with information and decisions. During this time, from 1992 to 1999, he did something amazing:
- He set up Egypt's very first connection to the internet.
- He helped introduce internet services for people and businesses in Egypt.
- He founded the Internet Society of Egypt, a group that helps promote and develop the internet.
Because of his important work, he became a senior advisor when the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology was created in 1999.
Serving as a Minister
From July 2004 to February 2011, Tarek Kamel served as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. This meant he was in charge of all things related to phones, internet, and technology for the entire country.
While he was a minister, he also led several important organizations:
- The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), which helps manage phone and internet services.
- The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), which supports tech companies.
- The National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and the Information Technology Institute (ITI), which are schools that train people in technology.
Global Internet Leadership
Tarek Kamel was also involved in making decisions about the internet around the world.
- He was a member of the Internet Society (ISOC) Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2002.
- He helped start AfriNIC, an organization that manages internet addresses in Africa.
- He led meetings for Arab and African countries about communication and information technology.
In 2005, the South African Ministry of Communications recognized him as the "Top Minister in Africa with an ICT Portfolio" for his leadership in technology.
In 2012, a global organization called ICANN chose Tarek Kamel for a senior role. ICANN helps manage the internet's naming system. He became the first person from a developing country to hold such a high position at ICANN. He worked to strengthen relationships between ICANN and governments worldwide.
His Family Life
Tarek Kamel was married to Iman El Azab, who is a professor at Cairo University. They had two children, a son named Omar (born in 1995) and a daughter named Heba (born in 1998). Tarek Kamel passed away on October 10, 2019.
