Today, Dr. Ayman Ashour _Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Universities Affairs_ launched the UCCD Virtual Platform 2021 and inaugurated first activities of the UCCD Career Expo.
Prof/ Ahmed Ghallab Mohamed_ Aswan university President, participated in the inauguration of the annual platform, in attendance of the Ambassador of the United States of America/ Jonathan Cohen, the Director of the United States Agency for International Development/ Leslie Reed, the President of the American University in Cairo/ Francis Richardoni, the representative of the Egyptian government at the American University, Dr. Ashraf Hatem, and the presidents of the partner Egyptian public universities.
The University Centers for career Development project was established in cooperation with USAID and the American University in Cairo. The centers are located in 10 Egyptian universities: (Alexandria, Ain Shams, Aswan, Beni Suef, Mansoura, Menoufia, Minya, Sadat, Sohag and Zagazig).the American ambassador announced the extension of the project duration to include new universities all over the country.
The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for University Affairs, Prof. Ayman Ashour, confirmed in his speech that the role of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is no longer limited to academic education,but we seek together to create a new generation have science and knowledge and spreading the culture of science and innovation through supporting Students and graduates to improve their personal and technical skills to keep pace with the requirements of labor market, which is witnessing many changes in recent times, in light of the repercussions of Corona virus. That the world will witness disappearance of a group of jobs during the coming years in several fields, while new jobs will appear according to the requirements of the new labor market so we should work together to develop the process of attracting national talents and support the entrepreneurial thought of our children.
US Ambassador/ Jonathan Cohen declared that the US government is committed to promot education in Egypt over the past four decades, as the Virtual Employment Forum for the University Centers for Career Development project is a vivid example of cooperation between the United States of America, with the Egyptian government and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to enable and support youth of Egypt University centers for career development improve practical and personal skills and encourage self-discovery among students. He added that these centers could be called “opportunity centers” because of the job opportunities, scholarships, training courses, and other multiple services they provide. University centers for career development has acheived a great success, he announced the extension of the university centers for career developmentproject, the total number of centers reached to (30) centers in (22) universities all over Egypt to serve 70% of Egyptian university students.
Prof. Ahmed Ghallab Mohamed_ Aswan University President added that the activities of the second employment forum started today under patronage of Dr. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar_ Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research online, with participation of University Centers for career Development in cooperation with the American University and support from the United States Agency for Development for 2022.
Prof. Ahmed Ghallab Mohamed_Aswan UniversityPresident participated in the forum with 350 students and graduates including 5 students with visual and physical disabilities from Aswan University.
Prof. Ahmed Ghallab confirmed during his speech that the total number of beneficiaries from the services of University Center for Career Development since opening the center on 16thJanuary 2020, reached to 16,331 students and graduates, with participation of 6 local companies from Aswan Governorate and 58 companies at level of Republic.
Prof. Ahmed Ghallab_Aswan University President expressed his happiness with the participation of Aswan University in the second employment forum. He also welcomed Dr. Ayman Ashour, Deputy Minister of Higher Education for Universities Affairs, Dr. Ashraf Hatem, the American University’s advisor and the presidents of the ten participating universities, stressing the importance of the role of the University Center for Career Development and working on qualifying graduates and linking them to labour market, in attendance of the working group of University Center for Career Development.
The President of the American University in Cairo/Francis Richardoni, declared that “The virtual employment platform for University Centers for Career Development project allows us to reach thousands of Egyptian graduates and students and enable them to identify the most important job opportunities available and communicate with representatives of companies, in light of current circumstances that have created an opportunity for innovation. The American University is proud to cooperate with partner Egyptian universities and USAID to support University Centers for Career Development project, through which students in Egyptian universities are empowered to deal with the labor market heis proud to be present today in launching the virtual platform and he wish success to all participants from companies and the business sector, Students and graduates of partner universities.
The representative of the Egyptian government at the American University in Cairo, Dr. Ashraf Hatem, added that The university centers project for Career development is one of the most important projects presented to Egyptian universities and Egyptian students, and it has a positive impact in preparing young people for labor market. He is proud of the efforts made by 16 centers for Career development in Egyptian universities in cooperation with various institutions and under the supervision of the American University grouping work, and this effort resulted in the participation of 55 companies from different governorates in the employment forum, which helps to create new permanent channels for communication between companies and university youth who are Looking for job and training opportunities. “
The National Bank of Egypt and Vodafone Company for Intelligent Solutions (_VOIS) also participated as key partners for the platform.
More than 4000 students and graduates from Egyptian universities have registered on the virtual platform, uploaded their CV, and communicated with more than 55 local and international companies to learn about the most important jobs available within different companies and banks, as representatives of companies and banks have been contacted via chat rooms. In addition to attending virtual seminars presented by: The National Bank of Egypt, Vodafone for Smart Solutions, Hassan Allam Real Estate Development Company, Etisalat, Edita for Food Industries, and the Canal Company for Sugar on the most important developments in labor market. This dynamic platform supports employers to be free from the constraints of traditional employment processes. Through this three-dimensional platform on the Internet, business owners and job seekers can communicate in a virtual way that resembles the feeling of real direct interaction.