SMARTer Kids Foundation announces partnership with NEC Technologies, Visual Systems Division

Over US$38 million in technology funding now available for 1999/2000 school year

Calgary, Alberta --- November 9, 1999 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to providing technology for the classroom, announces that NEC Technologies, Visual Systems Division, is a new funding partner. Through this partnership, the SMARTer Kids Foundation is launching a new US$20 million Grant program open to accredited not-for-profit public and private schools, colleges and universities across North America. Successful applicants will receive a SMARTer Kids Grant for qualifying NEC products, including data projectors and multimedia displays, worth up to 46% of the list price. NEC products also qualify for SMARTer Biz Kids, a program that enables companies to use Grants on behalf of educational institutions. With this partnership, the total dollar amount of SMARTer Kids Grants available for the 1999/2000 school year is now over US$38 million.

"The SMARTer Kids Foundation is very excited about all the possibilities opened up by this partnership with NEC Technologies," says Sandra Walliser, managing director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. "With the new funding from NEC, the SMARTer Kids Foundation will be able to expand its programs and support new initiatives focused on the educational community. This will provide more schools with the resources to fully integrate technology into the curriculum."

"NEC Technologies is honored to support the SMARTer Kids Foundation and committed to furthering the technology skill enhancement of teachers and students through the use of visual presentation products," notes Bob Hana, vice president for the Visual Systems Division at NEC Technologies. "Because it is proven that visual display helps students achieve more and learn faster, we feel confident that our involvement in the Foundation will not only improve the education process, but also enable students to ultimately be more successful and effective in the workplace."

Applying for a SMARTer Kids Grant for NEC Products
Educators can apply for a Grant by completing an application outlining how they intend to use NEC products in the classroom. Online applications are available. All Grant applications must be received by midnight on August 31, 2000. Grants must be utilized by September 30, 2000.

About NEC Technologies, Visual Systems Division
An affiliate of NEC Corporation, NEC Technologies, Itasca, Ill., is a leading manufacturer of technology products, including the broadest line of visual presentation systems available in the world. Committed to enhancing the education process through philanthropic donations of equipment and education community service programs, NEC is the only visual display manufacturer to offer Grants to educational institutions in Canada and the US through the SMARTer Kids Foundation. Information about NEC Technologies and its products can be obtained by calling (877) NEC-EDIT or by visiting the NEC Technologies Web site.

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Please note that SMART is in all capital letters.