Minister of Higher Education , Dr. Ayman Ashour, recently attended the ceremony honoring the winning teams of the “GENZ” TV program. The event, which took place at the British University in Egypt, brought together Mrs. Farida Khamis, Chairperson of the University’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, University President, and other distinguished guests such as Dr. Abdel Wahab Ezzat, Secretary of the Private Universities Council, and Dr. Hany Ayad, Executive Director of the Innovators and Talents Fund.
At the start of his speech, Dr. Ashour expressed his gratitude to the British University for hosting the important celebration. He commended the institution’s role in the Egyptian educational and research landscape, acknowledging its contribution to nurturing innovation and creativity.
Dr. Ashour stressed that the “GENZ” program is one of the Ministry’s key initiatives to support university students. He explained that the program goes beyond being a competition; it offers a journey of inspiration, training, and both financial and technical support aimed at transforming student innovations into successful startups. In addition, he praised the continuous backing from Egypt’s political leadership for innovators and entrepreneurs. Thanks to their support, the program’s funding had been increased to EGP 100 million, reflecting the state’s belief in innovation as a driver of sustainable development.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that the success of “GENZ” is the result of a successful partnership between the Ministry and the United Media Services Company. He was pleased with the feedback from the judging panel, who praised the high caliber of ideas presented by the students, which were shared in a thoughtful, research-driven manner before Prime Minister and other ministers. He pointed out that the students’ choice of themes was a testament to their awareness of Egypt’s national needs and challenges, aligning with the goals of the national higher education strategy.
Moreover, Dr. Ashour expressed his appreciation for the Innovators and Talents Fund and the United Media Services Company for their role in the program’s success. He assured that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with the company on additional initiatives aimed at discovering and supporting creative talents. He also emphasized that the discovery of innovators and talents is one of the Ministry’s primary priorities, followed by the essential stage of nurturing these talents. To this end, the “Egypt GATE” initiative was launched to identify students between the ages of 8 and 18.
In her speech, Mrs. Farida Khamis lauded the success of the first season of the program, calling it an excellent model for supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. She emphasized that the program fosters an educational environment that encourages creativity while offering real opportunities for students to make a difference. She also expressed her satisfaction with seeing projects that contribute to positive change, affirming her ongoing support for such initiatives and their transformation into real-world projects. Mrs. Khamis also thanked the Ministry of Higher Education, the Innovators Fund, and the United Media Services Company for their roles in the program, and praised the judging panel for their valuable contributions. She added that the celebration sent a strong message to young people in Egypt that persistence and dedication are the keys to success.
Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, President of the British University, expressed his joy in celebrating the students’ achievements and noted that the event reflects the Ministry of Higher Education’s vision of empowering university students. He highlighted that the national strategy for higher education and scientific research not only aims to improve the educational environment but also fosters creative initiatives like “GENZ,” which helps create an innovative ecosystem within Egypt’s higher education system.
Dr. Hany Ayad, Executive Director of the Innovators and Talents Fund, further stressed that supporting creativity and innovation is a top priority for the Fund, aiming to enhance Egypt’s competitive edge in sectors that meet the country’s development needs. He expressed his satisfaction with the success of the first season of “GENZ,” emphasizing that the program’s results were made possible through the continuous support from Dr. Ashour. Dr. Ayad also reiterated the Fund’s commitment to supporting the winning teams through an integrated incubation program that includes both financial and technical assistance to help turn their ideas into successful ventures.
Ahmed Fayed, the host of the program, thanked Dr. Ashour for his continuous support and involvement in every step of the program. He explained that “GENZ” is the result of a fruitful partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education, represented by the Innovators Fund, and the United Media Services Company. He also praised the judging panel’s performance and the high quality of the student projects. Fayed announced that the second season of “GENZ” would see even wider student participation, following the program’s initial success.
During the ceremony, the winning teams were recognized for their innovative ideas in fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, and technology. The following teams were awarded for their exceptional projects:
- “Gmind” – British University in Egypt
- “Chi To Heal” – British University in Egypt
- “Rewall” – Sinai University
- “Qotfa” – Ain Shams University
- “Harbanol” – Ain Shams University
- “Snailomoon” – Kafr El Sheikh University
- “Al-Mostakbal” – Shorouk Academy
The “GENZ” program, one of the largest initiatives for supporting innovative ideas among university students in Egypt, is carried out in collaboration between the Ministry of Higher Education, represented by the Innovators and Talents Fund, and the United Media Services Company. With a financial backing of EGP 100 million, the program provides numerous benefits to the participating projects, including training and mentorship from entrepreneurs and investors, funding for winning companies, and access to a network of investors and business owners.
