Last December, a Turkish website claimed Tim Cook would travel to Turkey to met with President Abdullah Gül to discuss a potential multi-billion dollar iPad deal in education. It would be worth up to $4 billion and would entail an order for fifteen million tablets over the next three years, the story went.
This bold educational project known as FATIH, would put tablets in over 40,000 Turkish schools, representing a major win for Apple and education. The government of Turkey, home to 74 million people, has now confirmed that the meeting will take place later today…
As first noted by 9to5Mac, a Presidental schedule posted on the government’s website reveals that Tim Cook is scheduled for a chit-chat with the Turkish President Abdullah Gül at 11:00am local time today. The timing of the meeting would precede grand opening of Apple’s rumored first retail store in Turkey.
The iPad deal between Apple of California and Turkish government has been in the making for quite a few months now. At first, the government would not commit to Apple before exploring potential deals with other tablet vendors.
It would seem now that Tim Cook & Co. were able to outclass their competitors with a more complete package. Aside from the actual hardware, Apple’s offer for educational institutions typically includes support and standard services such as curriculum and network upgrades.
Speaking of education, the company has also won a contract to deploy iPads to 38 Los Angeles campuses ahead of state tests in the spring.