The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat visited Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) today to monitor how education is running in it. He was received by officials from EUI, including President Reem Bahgat and others.
EUI was established by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, at the Knowledge City in the New Administrative Capital. EUI is the first specialized university in ICT sciences and related fields in the Middle East and Africa.
EUI Board of Trustees is chaired by former president of Egypt Adly Mansour. EUI is aimed at creating a broad base of experts in informatics and other areas that shape the future. The first batch of students joined EUI last October, enrolling in four faculties including the Faculty of Computing and Information Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Business Informatics, and the Faculty of Digital Arts and Designs.
During the visit, the ICT Minister met with students enrolled in EUI faculties. He stressed that the aim of establishing the University is to drive a paradigm shift in the ICT sector to help Egypt occupy the position it deserves in this industry, at regional and international levels.
Talaat said that EUI is one of a kind as it is affiliated with an executive applied ministry. This provides excellent opportunities for its students to participate in the projects that MCIT carries out to build Digital Egypt, most notably installing fiber-optic cables within the framework of the Decent Life initiative to provide homes in villages with high-speed internet connection. This is in addition to linking government facilities together through a fiber-optic network and creating a digital system of programs to automate government services and interconnect ministries. He called on the students to study the projects, prepare a research vision, and participate in them during summer vacation.
The ICT Minister underlined that EUI stands out for several reasons, most notably its location in the Knowledge City, which MCIT is building in the New Administrative Capital. EUI, thus, represents an element in an integrated information society, allowing students to leverage such society that boasts research and development (R&D) centers, training institutes, international and local companies specializing in ICT, an embedded software center, a center for innovation in assistive technologies, and business incubators. Another reason is the modern technology disciplines it offers, which were selected after an in-depth study to keep pace with the advancements in the global labor market.
Talaat highlighted that the accelerating technological advancements affect the skills required at the labor market; however, technology will not harm the number of jobs, especially since countries that rely on automation achieved the lowest unemployment rates before the pandemic. It is expected, according to a global report, that 85 million jobs will disappear within the next five years, in return, 125 million new jobs will appear.
The ICT Minister said that today’s most prominent features are the strong competition in the global labor market and the shift towards a freelancing-based economy that provides opportunities for young people to work overseas from home. He added that countries adopting technology have a shortage of skilled workers, especially in programming.
At the end of his speech, Talaat said that the meeting is the first but will not be the last, adding that he looks forward to other meetings with students, whether inside EUI or during their participation in MCIT projects. He called on the students to study hard and gain knowledge and experience, especially since they are EUI first batch. Talaat underscored that EUI admission requirements are flexible, except when it comes to excellence.
Following the Minister’s speech, the students inquired about training and job opportunities, the impact of technological advancement on the labor market, MCIT projects, EUI plans to offer more disciplines and services. They also had inquiries about spending the last academic year in partner foreign universities.
Talaat highlighted that many international ICT companies operating in Egypt are keen to partner with EUI as they believe that the University graduates, who specialize in technological fields, will make excellent job candidates for them. He added that there are different areas of cooperation between EUI and those companies, one of which is providing training opportunities and internships for students. Talaat said that those companies will be invited over for the events that EUI will organize.
The ICT Minister stressed EUI keenness to partner with prestigious international universities and expand such partnerships. He added that the University provides students with several competitive advantages, most notably modern academic knowledge, effective hands-on training, and capacity-building programs to equip them with the necessary skills for working and competing in all labor markets, whether as entrepreneurs, freelancers, or employees in international companies.
Furthermore, Talaat held a meeting with EUI faculty members in the presence of the Deputy ICT Minister for Infrastructure and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of EUI Raafat Hindy, and President Reem Bahgat. During the meeting, Talaat underlined that MCIT fully supports EUI in achieving its vision of building a base of world-class specialists in the different ICT sciences. He also commended the efforts of EUI faculty members.
The Minister and the faculty members discussed EUI disciplines and plans in scientific research. Talaat said that MCIT is keen on supporting EUI to enrich scientific research and help develop technological solutions to overcome the challenges facing Egyptian society. He said that the projects of the Ministry and its affiliated organizations are a fertile field for faculty members and students at EUI to apply what they learned. Talaat added that MCIT attaches great importance to qualifying young people; its capacity-building budget increased 22-fold in three years, reaching EGP 1.1 billion.
At the end of the meeting, Bahgat presented an honorary shield bearing the EUI name to the ICT Minister in appreciation of his efforts and support.
It is worth noting that EUI first academic year kicked off in a smart facility equipped with the latest tools. The facility includes lecture halls, specialized laboratories, a smart library, academic and administrative offices, and recreation spaces. The rest of the campus will be completed over the next three years on an 84,000m2 area.
EUI managed to attract distinguished faculty members with a long track record in teaching and scientific research in the academic disciplines that EUI offers. Its administrative structure was formed according to the highest standards.
In line with its vision, mission, and strategic objectives, EUI offered 30 full scholarships to high school top-performing graduates, covering tuition fees and transportation, in addition to living expenses and accommodation in a nearby hostel for non-Cairo residents.
EUI offers world-class education and maintains high-quality teaching and learning. The University models its academic programs on those of foreign partner universities. EUI also partners with top-notch universities to deliver scientific, research and applied services according to the latest technologies and international standards.
EUI students have the opportunity to spend the last academic year at one of the foreign partner universities. Moreover, EUI established partnerships with several international universities, including Purdue University - West Lafayette to offer a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics, Communications, and Computer. Purdue's Engineering Professional Education program was ranked fourth among online engineering graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Program rankings.
EUI also partnered with the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, which ranks No. 29 in the inaugural Best Global Universities rankings by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, EUI signed a special agreement with Purdue University - West Lafayette to offer a professional master’s degree in information security. Purdue University ranks No. 6 in Best Cybersecurity Colleges Ranking.
EUI is planning to sign more partnership agreements with major international universities specializing in the disciplines it offers.
