Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) and the Specialized Academy for Medical Training (SAMT) will work together to provide medical education and training programs for young Saudi high school graduates and staff in hospitals and medical centers across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is expected that several programs will be implemented from October 2008 onwards, covering medical technology disciplines including X-ray, Ultrasound and Healthcare IT.

Each program will consist of a combination of E-learning modules and practical training and will be accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. SAMT was established in 2000 with the aim of providing high-quality medical education and training to young Saudi nationals. The organization currently offers six Diploma programs in dental technology, medical secretary, medical laboratory, medical records and archiving, radiology technology and nursing. Each program includes two years of academic study and six months of practical training in a healthcare environment.

"At Philips Healthcare we believe the key to improving health outcomes is to develop strong partnerships with leading healthcare organizations such as the Specialized Academy for Medical Training," said Dick Bunschoten, Country Manager Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Philips. "In the Middle East, as in many parts of the world, the lack of availability of trained medical staff is an increasingly large challenge. This collaboration demonstrates Philips' commitment to solving the big issues in healthcare, while at the same time actively seeking to respond to the Saudi Community call to develop, train & educate the future Saudi generations in the latest Healthcare Technologies & Solutions."
In addition to its Diploma program, SAMT also provides a combination of Continuous Medical Education (CME-accredited) courses and workshops. It operates at the moment from five locations in the Kingdom - Riyadh, Medina, Jeddah, Qassim and Taif and is planning to open additional facilities in the coming years. Currently more than 1000 students enrolled on its courses.

About Specialized Academy for Medical Teaching (SAMT)

The Specialized Academy for Medical Teaching (SAMT), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a leading private company in medical education and specialized in conducting two and half years health diploma programs for secondary schools graduates. Currently five branches were established in five town in the Kingdom with 1225 Students studying one of the following diploma programs: Radiology, Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Laboratory Technology, Nursing and Medical Records. SAMT also runs continuing medical education courses for health professionals. The Academy is planning to open new branches and introduce new diploma programs.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 134,200 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of USD 42.5 billion (EUR 27 billion) in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal wellbeing. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.