The Top 50 Women Forum, in collaboration with the Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness Center (IECC) at Nile University, announced the launch of “The STEM & AI Challenge 2025.” This initiative is a pioneering national platform that empowers university students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), supporting their innovative concepts in Artificial Intelligence and future technologies. The challenge represents the first-of-its-kind strategic partnership that brings together academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The challenge is a key component of the fourth edition of the Egyptian Women Summit, held under the patronage of the Cabinet of Ministers, in cooperation with the National Council for Women (NCW), and with active participation from the Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA). This year’s summit is held under the theme: “STEM and Future Innovation Summit.”
The challenge saw strong participation, with 160 projects submitted by students from more than 28 Egyptian universities. This robust turnout highlights the expanding role of Egyptian universities in fostering innovation, student entrepreneurship, and developing creative solutions in STEM fields.
The Challenge included a rigorous selection and qualification process through which 30 projects were selected to move forward. This was followed by intensive training workshops covering Business Model generation and effective pitching techniques. The top 15 teams were then shortlisted for the next stage, with all participants receiving digital training certificates.
On December 8, the semi-finalists took part in the Final Demo Day at Nile University, during which 15 teams showcased their projects on campus. From this group, the top 6 projects were selected to be honored at the awards ceremony during December 14, where they will be awarded financial prizes. Nile University will also provide the winners with two personalized mentoring sessions and the opportunity to join the university’s entrepreneurship programs and student ecosystem—reinforcing its pivotal role in shaping future solutions, empowering youth, and embedding innovation into the national development agenda.
Nile University plays a central role in delivering the Challenge through a structured capacity-building journey. Through the IECC, the University provided participants with training, guidance, and valuable exposure, empowering them to develop their business models and strengthen their pitching and entrepreneurial skills. The IECC also offered a supportive environment that blends scientific knowledge with practical innovation. The challenge is delivered with the strategic sponsorship and support of TAQA Arabia and Suez Canal Bank, affirming both institutions’ strong commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and the empowerment of youth and women in fields tied to the future of science and technology.
Ms. Dina Abdel Fattah, Founder and President of the Top 50 Women Forum, emphasized that the STEM & AI Challenge 2025 represents a pivotal step within the Forum’s five-year program, Journey of Future Makers, which aims to empower youth and women to become creators of knowledge, innovation, and technological leadership, noting that the participation of 160 projects from 28 Egyptian universities confirms that Egypt possesses a promising generation capable of competing globally in STEM and AI fields.
Dr. Essam Roshdy, Acting President of Nile University, stated, “Nile University is honored to co-organize the STEM & AI Challenge 2025, an initiative that precisely aligns with our institutional vision of empowering young talent and amplifying their crucial role in innovation and entrepreneurship. The strategic investment in university students, coupled with the provision of comprehensive opportunities to cultivate and realize innovative solutions within the critical domains of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), constitutes a principal catalyst for the future knowledge economy. We express our sincere pleasure in hosting this significant confluence of projects and participating universities. Furthermore, Nile University is deeply committed to providing robust support for emerging talent, thereby enabling them to successfully transform their conceptual ideas into tangible, real-world impact.”
Dr. Pakinam Kafafi, CEO of TAQA Arabia, commented: “TAQA Arabia considers innovation a primary driver of sustainable development; therefore, we strongly support initiatives that empower youth and students to provide practical, applicable solutions. Our participation in the STEM & AI Challenge reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting education, technology, and entrepreneurship. We are pleased to contribute to identifying and mentoring new talents who will play a key role in the future of the energy and advanced technology sectors.”
Dr. Nour El-Zeny, Head of Financial Inclusion, Corporate Communication, and CSR at Suez Canal Bank (SCB), stated: “Suez Canal Bank’s support for the ‘STEM & AI Challenge’—provided through financial sponsorship through cash prizes awarded to the winning students and participation in the judging panel responsible for selecting winners according to the competition’s criteria—stems from a firm belief in the importance of investing in youth capabilities. It reflects our commitment to enhancing their participation in building a knowledge economy and providing all forms of support. We are proud to partner in an initiative that combines creativity, science, and innovation, opening new horizons for university students to unleash their ambitions and develop projects capable of transforming into real business models that serve the Egyptian society and economy.”
She pointed out that the Bank consistently strives to implement effective community development programs, including support for entrepreneurship—particularly through training and qualification programs for youth designed to bridge the gap between academic curricula and labor market requirements, as well as digital transformation, thereby preparing young people for future jobs. Suez Canal Bank has previously participated in numerous initiatives, including the “NilePreneurs” initiative launched by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) in collaboration with Nile University for five years, through which the Bank supported 51 startups through its technology applications incubator, “SaaS Launch.”
