MCIT signs MoUs with 30 firms to qualify 1st batch of Digital Pioneers
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) yesterday with 30 international, regional, and local companies, aiming to train and qualify the first batch of young participants in the presidential Digital Pioneers initiative.
The move goes in line with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi directives to qualify more than 30,000 young men and women on the latest digital technologies.
The signing ceremony was held at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Capital, and was attended by Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, Military Academys director, as well as several CIT experts, media representatives, trainees of the initiative, and students from military colleges.
The MoUs were signed by Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for the Development of Technological Infrastructure and Digital Transformation, Raafat Hindi, and representatives of 30 companies that serve as industry partners for the Digital Pioneers initiative, local and global communications.
Talking to The Egyptian Gazette, Minister Talaat affirmed President El Sisi continued follow-up on the progress of the Digital Pioneers initiative and other programmes the ministry has been implemented in co-operation with various state entities.
These efforts aim to prepare cadres capable of driving a real leap in the fields of communications and information technology, he said.
The ministry is working with the Egyptian Military Academy and a group of international and national companies to train students and provide them with the latest practical and scientific expertise, qualifying them to work in both local and global markets in line with the most advanced scientific developments, the minister added in exclusive remarks to this paper.
The ministry relies on four main pillars, with capacity building at the forefront, Hisham Farouk, Technology Development Advisor at the ministry, told The Gazette.
He pointed out that the Digital Pioneers initiative targets 12,000 digital pioneers annually, providing them with free access to study programmes and certification.
It includes 250 participants in academic and professional masters programmes lasting one year, and 1,250 participants in diploma lasting nine months in co-operation with the Military Technical College and the National Telecommunication Institute, Farouk noted.
The initiative also offers a specialised four-month diploma delivered three times a year, with a total of 3,500 trainees, supported by weekly monitoring and evaluation.
Welcoming the attendees at the event, Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher, the manager of the Egyptian Military Academy, stressed the keen interest of the Armed Forces General Command in providing all necessary resources to qualify and train young people, whether through the Digital Pioneers initiative or other programmes conducted by the Egyptian Military Academy. This is part of efforts to develop the countrys civilian workforce in line with the directives of President Sisi in this regard.
The Digital Pioneers initiative offers a unique model of integration between the private sector and national institutions, Group CEO of Etisal international, Mohamed Eissa, one of the 30 firms, said.
In remarks to The Gazette, Issa stated that the initiative focuses on practical experience within companies.
“Taking part in the initiative is a national duty, that goes in line with President Sisi directives on building humans and bridging the gap between the needs of the labour market and youth skills, while also saving costs, time, and effort in the process of graduate training,” Issa said.
Eng. Jihad Wadieh, Chairman of Innerwin, stressed that the presidential initiatives have helped reduce financial risks for companies and align graduation projects with the actual development needs within firms.
Representative of Five dVR, Eng. Magid Farag, highlighted the importance of directing initiatives toward future industries, such as the digital gaming sector.
Mahmoud Noah, CEO of iTechpro, reiterated that participation in these initiatives enhances profitable sustainability, supports national income, and creates increasing employment opportunities.
Mohamed Salah, a 2023 graduate of the Faculty of Computers and Information at Assiut University, expressed his pride in participating in the initiative, describing it as an opportunity that had been a great dream for previous generations and university professors. He also praised the high level of discipline and organisation within the programme.
Mirna Mohsen, who is enrolled in the professional masters track of the initiative, highlighted the intense effort required to pass the precise technical and technological assessments.
“The initiative ensures both the physical and mental well-being of trainees and provides exceptional networking opportunities through participation in major events, allowing direct engagement with the needs of the labour market,” Mohsen told this newspaper.
Despite already holding a masters degree and being employed, researcher Hassan Said, a specialist in AI-based cyberattack risk analysis and forecasting, emphasised that there are no limits to learning.
In the same context, Afnan Mohamed, a graduate of the Faculty of Computer and Information and a researcher in the Digital Pioneers masters programme, described the initiative as a realisation of President Sisis vision.
