The USAID-funded University Centres for Career Development (UCCD) project launched on Monday a virtual career platform to connect students and graduates of 10 Egyptian public universities with organisations offering job opportunities. The 'UCCD 2021 Virtual Career Platform' has hosted a series of recruiting events, as it includes two mega virtual career fairs in March and September. March's expo event offers more than 3,500 job and internship opportunities from over 55 employers to around 4,000 students and graduates of Egyptian Universities. Deputy Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour, US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen, USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed, the American University in Cairo (AUC) President Francis Ricciardone, Egyptian government representative at AUC Ashraf Hatem, and the presidents of Egyptian public universities inaugurated the event on Monday. AUC launched the UCCD project to help universities provide students with the knowledge and skills they need for the job market. Cohen, during the event's inauguration, said the project has successfully launched 16 career centres within 10 Egyptian public universities and availed career services to over 150,000 students. Cohen said the US will be providing support to expand the project to 30 centres at 22 public universities in Egypt serving 70 percent of all public university students. Hatem, the government's representative at the AUC, highlighted during the event the success of the UCCDs in turning an unprecedented challenge into a great opportunity during the pandemic. This was achieved by training students and helping them connect with employers all year long, he added. "The impact of UCCDs on our students in public universities is enormous," Hatem said.
