Nile University (NU) and the Top 50 Most Influential Women Forum announced a landmark partnership on Wednesday aimed at bridging the gap between academia, civil society, and the private sector to prepare Egyptian students for the jobs of the future. The collaboration was unveiled during a preparatory meeting for the STEM and Future Innovation Summit, scheduled for 13-14 Dec. at NU's Sheikh Zayed campus, organised under the auspices of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and in cooperation with the National Council for Women (NCW). The meeting brought together representatives from 20 Egyptian and international universities, along with NU officials and leaders of the Top 50 Women Forum, including Founder and President Dina Abdel Fattah. Participants discussed practical strategies to link academic curricula with labour market needs and digital transformation. "Our partnership with universities will produce a practical framework linking academia with labour-market demands and digital transformation." Abdel Fattah said. She highlighted the Forum's focus on equipping students with advanced technical skills and fostering entrepreneurship through innovation challenges and employment exhibitions. The summit will serve as a platform to incorporate the visions emerging from our meetings with university presidents into panel sessions and interactive workshops, bringing together government stakeholders and private-sector representatives, Abdel Fattah said. She highlighted the Forum's three pillars of work: supporting women in mid-level leadership roles, expanding programmes for students and graduates, and organizing employment exhibitions. Last year, the Forum's employment exhibition welcomed around 4,000 students from 35 Egyptian universities, providing practical training and opportunities to connect with employers. This year, the Forum aims to strengthen its monitoring and evaluation to better measure impact and refine its programmes, she added. Abdel Fattah also said 28 universities are participating in this year's STEM and Future Innovation Summit, with students, faculty, and projects already nominated for the innovation challenge. She stressed that the initiative is part of a broader vision to bridge science with practical realities, ensuring graduates are prepared for a technology- and entrepreneurship-driven labour market. Essam Roshdy, Acting President of Nile University, described the initiative as "an inspiring" platform that provides students with opportunities for practical experience, training, and presenting innovative ideas. He said the university aims to serve as the hub for research, entrepreneurship, and knowledge transfer within the partnership. Nadia Al-Aref, President of ESLSCA University, emphasised the summit's role in preparing graduates for a technology-driven and entrepreneurial labor market, while Walid El-Serrogi of Helwan University highlighted the participation of the National Institute of Intellectual Property in supporting student innovations during the summit. The partnership is part of a broader effort to equip Egyptian youth with the digital, technical, and entrepreneurial skills required for future employment, strengthening collaboration between universities and the private sector. According to Abdel Fattah, the summit will feature 28 universities participating to date, with students, faculty, and projects nominated for the innovation challenge. The initiative follows the Forum's ongoing efforts to support women in leadership and expand youth programs, including employment exhibitions that have linked thousands of students with practical opportunities and mentorship programs across Egypt. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Download
