The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), affiliated to the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), has received 10,000 applications from university students and fresh graduates, from different governorates, to join InnovEgypt program. The program aims at building the capacities of university students, in innovation and entrepreneurship.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measures, that require avoiding mass gatherings, TIEC launched InnovEgypt Online, where the program is fully provided online. Participants have been receiving training, in batches, since June and up to October.
The program is tailored to support and direct students and graduates to take their first steps in innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as to provide the essential knowledge needed to aspire and motivate participants to think like entrepreneurs and know how to come up with innovative ideas using design thinking as an effective and innovative problem-solving method.
The duration of the training course is 30 hours, including 16 interactive hours, four hours per day, over four days of workshops. Students or fresh graduates can join either the morning or the evening training period, according to their preference.
The program targets university graduates, starting with the class of 2015, and university students with ICT related majors, who successfully completed the second, third or fourth year at the Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Computers and Information; Faculty of Sciences (computer and Artificial Intelligence (AI) majors); Faculty of Economics and Political Science (computer department), engineering institutes, Faculty of Commerce; Faculty of Applied Arts; Faculty of Specific Education (computer department) and Faculty of Industrial Education.
At the end of this free program, trainees receive certificates from TIEC. The program, in addition, provides an opportunity to participate in the “Ideathon” hackathon, with cash prizes amounting to EGP 360,000.
The program consists of three main modules: Innovation and Technology Management, where the fundamentals of innovation and technology management are introduced; Design Thinking, where students get to learn how to use different techniques to develop innovative business ideas, based on real life challenges; and Entrepreneurship, which covers the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and provides a detailed training on the basic tools that potential entrepreneurs need to embark on their new businesses.
InnovEgypt aims to create a qualified Egyptian skill pool, from innovators and entrepreneurs, through providing students with comprehensive training on innovation and technology management and entrepreneurship, based on the best practices and lessons learned.