Under the auspices of Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Ayman Ashour headlined the fourth session of the Fourth Knowledge Youth Forum, hosted at Cairo University. The session, titled “Human Capital in the Era of the Knowledge Economy,” convened thought leaders, policymakers, and youth innovators from across Egypt and the Arab world to underscore the strategic role of young people in driving economic transformation.
The forum was organized by Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Attending alongside Dr. Ashour were Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Cairo University President Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadeq, and Jamal bin Huwaireb, Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.
Investing in Youth as Catalysts of Change
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Ashour reaffirmed the Egyptian government’s unwavering belief in the power of youth as engines of national development.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Higher Education is leading a systemic transformation—one that recognizes that academic credentials alone are no longer sufficient for workforce readiness. Instead, the ministry is prioritizing innovation, adaptability, and entrepreneurial skillsets.
Ashour invited students to take full advantage of the “Be Ready” initiative, now entering its second edition under the slogan “One Million Qualified Innovators.” The initiative is a comprehensive support system offering training programs, career pathways, and access to professional networks tailored to the demands of the knowledge economy.
“Alliance and Development” Presidential Initiative
Highlighting another key program, Dr. Ashour detailed the impact of the presidential initiative “Alliance and Development,” which seeks to build cross-sector coalitions focused on strategic industries and innovation-driven growth.
The initiative’s first phase attracted 104 alliances, comprising over 800 entities across a spectrum of sectors—from furniture, tourism, and construction to ICT, healthcare, and agriculture. With a combined average budget of EGP 126 million per alliance, the program aims to stimulate regional development across Egypt’s seven geographic zones.
Ashour noted that these alliances exemplify Egypt’s shift from a consumer-based to a knowledge-based economy, consistent with the national higher education and scientific research strategy.
Public-Private Collaboration on Innovation With Microsoft
Microsoft Egypt is deepening its educational partnerships to equip youth with AI-driven skills and digital competencies aligned with the demands of a rapidly evolving labor market.
Speaking during the Fourth Knowledge Youth Forum at Cairo University, Microsoft Egypt CEO Mirna Arif reaffirmed the tech giant’s commitment to supporting national innovation through a suite of training programs, strategic collaborations, and scalable technologies.
“We are proud to partner with Egypt’s education and innovation ecosystem to bring cutting-edge tools and global expertise directly to young minds,” said Arif. “AI, cloud platforms, and digital fluency are no longer optional—they’re the future of employability.”
Gen Z Program: A Catalyst for Student Innovation
Representing the private sector, Microsoft Egypt’s CEO Mirna Arif emphasized her company’s commitment to educational partnerships that leverage AI, cloud computing, and digital learning platforms.
The Gen Z program—executed in collaboration with the United Media Services Company and Egypt’s Innovators Support Fund—has channeled over EGP 100 million toward student-led projects in medicine, engineering, agriculture, and digital technologies.
Arif also spotlighted Microsoft’s broader portfolio of AI-powered training modules designed to upskill Egyptian youth and accelerate digital transformation across sectors.
Lawmakers Stress Cross-Governmental Alignment
Member of Parliament Dr. Ghada Ali underscored the importance of legislative-executive coordination in strengthening Egypt’s education system. She pointed to a growing number of youth in decision-making positions as evidence of the nation’s commitment to inclusive governance.
Ali called for expanded access to technical training, entrepreneurship support, and civic engagement tools to build a resilient generation capable of navigating the complexities of a knowledge-based global economy.
Forum Tackles Core Knowledge Economy Issues
The first day of the Fourth Knowledge Youth Forum featured six in-depth panel discussions exploring key themes, including:
- National strategies for knowledge economy development
- The role of international institutions in knowledge transfer
- Education transformation for future workforce demands
- Artificial intelligence as a driver of growth
- The economic and social cost of misinformation
Held in the historic halls of Cairo University, the event signals a growing consensus in Egypt that youth empowerment, digital transformation, and cross-sector collaboration are essential ingredients in building a resilient and innovation-led future.
