Mansoura University President Inaugurates the 7th Entrepreneurship Week for University Career Development Centers

Prof. Cherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, inaugurated today the 7th Entrepreneurship Week for University Career Development Centers, held under the slogan: "Building an Entrepreneurial Generation: Empowering University Youth in Light of Egypt's Vision 2030."

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Tarek Ghalwash, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research; Prof. Walid El-Shenawy, Dean of the Faculty of Law; Prof. Abeer Zakaria, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing; Prof. Noha Heikal, Dean of the Faculty of Computers and Information; Prof. Amina El-Nemer, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Delta University; Prof. Mona Abu El-Ezz, Executive Director of the University Career Development Centers; Dr. Tarek El-Bahy, Director of the Entrepreneurship and Employment Unit; Dr. Hesham Yassin, Director of the Training Unit; and Counselor Ahmed Ragai, Director of the Dakahlia Labor Directorate, in addition to a number of university leaders, entrepreneurs, career development experts, and representatives of companies and institutions supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The organization of the week comes as a continuation of the success of previous editions and reaffirms the university's commitment to supporting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, considering them two fundamental pillars for achieving sustainable development and enhancing youth readiness for the changing labor market. The event aims to empower university students to develop advanced professional and entrepreneurial skills, and to connect their ideas and startup projects with the needs of the national economy.

Prof. Cherif Khater said that Mansoura University is increasingly focused on building students' capabilities and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment, recognizing them as key players in achieving the goals of Egypt's Vision 2030. He noted that the university is working to provide a supportive environment for discovering and guiding young talent towards innovative projects capable of competing in both the local and international markets. He expressed his appreciation to the university's vice presidents, the management of the university's career development centers, and the partners in success from companies, entrepreneurs, and students. He stressed the pivotal role of these centers in providing the necessary skills to connect students with the job market, and called for an increase in training programs and employment opportunities in the coming period.

Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi commended the pioneering role of the university's career development centers and the remarkable progress they have made in training and qualifying students through dialogue sessions, skills-building programs, and international partnerships that enhance the quality of services provided to them. He affirmed that the Career Development Center at Mansoura University ranks first among Egyptian universities, noting that the continued convening of Entrepreneurship Week contributes to bridging the gap between students and graduates and the job market, and supports the development of well-rounded individuals capable of meeting the challenges of the modern era.

Prof. Walid El-Shenawy also said that entrepreneurship is no longer a supplementary option, but rather a primary path for developing the national economy. He pointed out that successful entrepreneurial experiences stem from belief in the idea and the ability to transform challenges into opportunities. He explained that success stories often begin with a small step and great passion, and that young people are capable of forging their own paths through their creativity and determination. He asked students to believe in their abilities and not to fear experimentation or failure, stressing that the future needs innovative minds and bold energies capable of developing projects that have a real impact on society.

Prof. Mona Abu El-Ezz explained that Entrepreneurship Week represents a major platform that brings together students, experts, and practitioners to exchange experiences, showcase inspiring experiences, and support promising ideas. She presented an overview of the centers' most significant achievements during the 2024-2025 academic year, highlighting the expansion of training services and the center's success in placing 450 graduates in jobs through partnerships with employers. She also noted the implementation of 25 employment training programs focused on practical skills relevant to the needs of the professional environment. Furthermore, she mentioned the launch of an initiative to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment within the university. This initiative included 13 training workshops that benefited 1,947 students, aiming to foster entrepreneurial thinking and empower students to develop innovative projects. She also discussed the second edition of the Startup Missiles competition, which saw exceptional participation with over 64 teams, narrowed down to 10 after various evaluation stages. She emphasized that this success provides a strong impetus for launching the third edition this year with even greater confidence and ambition.

Dr. Tarek El-Bahy stated that the week's theme, "Building an Entrepreneurial Generation... Empowering University Youth in Light of Egypt's Vision 2030," was not chosen arbitrarily, but rather reflects a strategic direction that believes young people are capable of leading change, creating opportunities, and transforming ideas into reality. He noted that the recommendations issued by the sixth edition of the week formed a practical basis for enhancing student empowerment, developing their intellectual and innovative capabilities, and establishing a culture of entrepreneurship and self-employment within the university. He explained that the Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Self-Employment Unit adopted this approach by providing real spaces to support emerging ideas and assist their creators throughout the stages of building their projects, from the initial concept to achieving an active presence in the market, through a gradual methodology based on awareness, training, and guidance.

At the conclusion of the opening session, the Career Development Centers Administration honored Prof. Cherif Khater, the university president, in recognition and appreciation of his support for the work of the university's career development centers, his continuous efforts to promote a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among students, and his active contribution to empowering young people and connecting them with the labor market.

The university president also honored Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, and Prof. Tarek Ghalwash, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research.

The event sponsors were also honored, along with the winning teams in the second edition of the Startup Missiles competition, where the Aqua Guard team won first place, the Cuppy team won second place, and the Zai Voice team won third place.

The week's events, held on November 26th and 27th, 2025, included panel discussions, individual presentations, and interactive sessions with leading institutions and entrepreneurs, all aimed at fostering innovation and encouraging young people to develop projects with economic and social impact.