CAIRO: Samsung Electronics announced the Samsung Real Dreams program in South Africa at a two-day conference with the International Youth Foundation (IYF). Already, Egyptians are excited about the possibilities the program will bring to the North African country and the continent's young people in technology. “I am really looking forward to this program and hope Egypt is one of the main countries on the list. Samsung is really doing good things in Africa,” said freelance web designer Amr Hamza. President of Samsung South Africa, Choongro Lee said at the conference that “this was in line with the company’s corporate philosophy.†Lee added that Samsung Real Dreams was designed to “empower African youth by providing them with the knowledge and opportunities they need to be successful and realize their dreams.” According to the Samsung president, the program plans to reach over 4,000 youth across Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The aim is to increase training in ICT skills, employability, entepreneurship and vocational skills for people in these countries who have not had the opportunities of competitors in the West. There will also be job placements at the end of the program. “I watched this conference with a lot of interest because it could directly affect me and my friends. We really need something like this if we are going to compete on the global level,” added Hamza. The two-day event included a panel discussion and workshops, “which engaged participants from the private, public and civil society sectors around youth employability and entrepreneurship issues in Africa,” a statement following the conference read. “Samsung Real Dreams was established to help youth in Africa to fulfill their hopes, future aspirations and visions,” Lee said in his statements at the conference. He added that “a central feature of the program is to help at-risk youth enhance their employability and opportunities for successful, long-term career. “The meeting was designed to maximize synergies between involved parties with the common goal of promoting employability and entrepreneurship among young people across Africa . “Together with IYF and our local partners, we are confident we can achieve Samsung Real Dreams’ objectives and touch the lives of thousands of young people in the region.†Lee added. Egyptians are hopeful they will be given an opportunity to show their savvy and ability to compete with the rest of the world, said Hamza. BM
