Based on the directives of His Excellency Prof./ Hemdan Rabie El-Metwally – President of Damietta University, Prof. / Mohamed Abdo Amasha –Vice President of the University for Education and Student Affairs, participated today, Monday, April 28, 2025, in launching “Be Ready” initiative under the slogan “1 Million Qualified Innovators.” This event is part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s activities in the field of career guidance for employment.
The initiative was launched by prof./ Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, marking the second edition of the “Be Ready” initiative (Be Ready – 1M), with the presence of prof./ Mohamed Gobran, Minister of Labor, alongside a distinguished group of international and regional partners, including the International Labour Organization, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), the Global Innovation Institute, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Education Development Fund affiliated with the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as several ministry officials, academic leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and media professionals.
In his opening remarks, prof./ Ayman Ashour emphasized that this second edition of the initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to students through an integrated system that meets their needs in acquiring the skills and competencies required to qualify for the labor market. He confirmed that the initiative aligns with the principles of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research and the National Strategy for Sustainable Innovation recently launched by the ministry, as part of efforts to achieve the goals of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development."
prof./ Ashour affirmed that the initiative reflects the state’s belief in the youth’s role as a main driver of development. It seeks to build the capacities and qualify one million university students and recent graduates by launching a comprehensive digital platform that provides multiple pathways for professional and innovative qualification. He stressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting students through a complete and integrated system that equips them for the labor market.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to all supporters of the initiative and to the university career centers, calling on students to make the most of the initiative and the training opportunities it offers. He emphasized that the labor market no longer depends solely on academic degrees, but rather on advanced skills.
During the event, the Minister presented a detailed overview of the initiative, its goals, and the changes in the labor market, noting that the ministry monitors international reports on in-demand skills and aims to align with regional and global labor market needs to enhance Egypt’s ability to export qualified labor. He also highlighted the international recognition of Egyptian talents.
The initiative aims to launch an integrated digital platform offering diverse pathways for professional and innovative qualification, while providing real training and employment opportunities for youth in collaboration with development partners from international institutions and the private sector.
It also aims to enhance students' and graduates’ capabilities and raise their readiness for the labor market by developing their innovative and creative skills, preparing them to secure suitable job opportunities or venture into entrepreneurship. Moreover, it seeks to build a generation of young professionals capable of adapting to the changing demands of local, regional, and international job markets in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030.
During his participation, Prof. / Mohamed Abdo Amasha emphasized that Damietta University, under the guidance of H.E. Prof. / Hemdan Rabie, gives great importance to supporting its students and graduates at all stages of professional qualification. The university is committed to strengthening partnerships with various national initiatives that aim to empower youth and enhance their practical and technological skills. He praised the importance of the “Be Ready” initiative as a strategic platform that integrates training, mentoring, and employment opportunities in a comprehensive package, contributing to bridging the gap between university education and labor market demands.
The event featured a number of panel discussions with ministry officials and higher education and scientific research experts, addressing employment challenges, future readiness, skills of the future for building a knowledge society, the challenges and opportunities of developing digital and innovative skills, and future paths for innovation and employment, in addition to designing flexible career pathways that meet the evolving needs of the labor market.
It is worth mentioning that the Education and Student Affairs Sector at Damietta University had hosted the first edition of the “Be Ready” initiative from December 15 to 19, 2024, reflecting the university’s keenness to support national initiatives aimed at preparing young talents for the labor market.