The US government, in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the American University in Cairo (AUC), celebrated the launch of career development centres at universities in Minya and Beni Suef this week. In a press statement by the American embassy, Egypt Mission Director at USAID Sherry F Carlin said that the centres will help students prepare for and attain employment, adding that students who use these career development centres will receive support to tailor their career paths based on market trends. Carlin noted that students will also benefit from linkages between the universities and industries in Upper Egypt. USAID is working in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and AUC to expand a pilot career development centre model that resulted in thousands of employment opportunities for Egypt's university students. The expanded $20m project will establish university centres for career development at universities in Greater Cairo, the Delta, and Upper Egypt, reaching up to 70% of university students in Egypt. The new centres will provide training, networking, and linkages between the university and the private sector to increase career opportunities and job training for students and alumni. The centres will also track evolving labour market needs to help inform university curricula. USAID's support of the Career Development Centres is part of the $30bn that the American people have invested in Egypt through USAID since 1978.
