On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Azim, Vice President of Mansoura University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, inaugurated the first Employment Forum for students and graduates of the Faculty of Arts, held under the theme “A Sustainable Labor Market.”

The event was attended by Dr. Ahmed El-Adl, Deputy Governor of Dakahlia; Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Gaidi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Head of the Forum; Dr. Dina Abu El-Ala, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs and Vice President of the Forum; Dr. Mossad Salama, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research; and Dr. Ayman Wahby, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs. Also in attendance were faculty vice deans, staff members, Mr. Hazem Nasr, Head of the Journalists’ Syndicate Committee in Dakahlia, Dr. Maryam Wissa, Director of the Center for Innovators and Talents at the university, along with a large crowd of students and alumni. The forum also saw strong community participation from over 25 companies and institutions. The forum was moderated by Dr. Hamdy Shaheen, Professor of Linguistics in the English Department.

The forum aims to establish a sustainable interactive platform connecting students and graduates with the labor market, with a particular focus on supporting freelancing and entrepreneurship as alternative career paths, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Azim welcomed the attendees and emphasized that the forum embodies the modern concept of employment, which goes beyond the traditional idea of a job. He highlighted the importance of investing in individual skills and adapting to the rapid changes in the job market.

He also pointed out that the university places great emphasis on developing its infrastructure to support educational and innovative activities in line with the country’s modern vision. He stressed that the forum is a real manifestation of the university’s commitment to community engagement by creating meaningful connections between students and the business community, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among youth.

Dr. Ahmed El-Adl expressed his happiness at being at the Faculty of Arts, which he is proud to belong to. He voiced his admiration for Mansoura University and conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Major General Tarek Marzouk, Governor of Dakahlia, to all forum participants. He also praised the university’s role in supporting numerous development and progress initiatives within the governorate, extending his respect and gratitude to Prof. Dr. Sherif Khater, President of the University, and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Abdel Azim.

He added that the forum is part of the university’s broader efforts to empower young people and enhance their active engagement in the job market.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Gaidi expressed his appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for renewing his appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He affirmed his commitment to continue the journey of institutional and academic development at the faculty.

The Dean highlighted the faculty’s ongoing efforts to equip students with market-relevant skills by integrating academic learning with practical experience, noting the forum's significance as a vital bridge between academic life and the labor market.

Dr. Dina Abu El-Ala noted that the forum aimed to highlight real success stories of alumni and young entrepreneurs to inspire and motivate students to confidently pursue their career paths.

Dr. Maryam Wissa stated that the forum reflects the university’s strategic direction toward investing in young talents and creating a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

At the end of the opening session, the Faculty of Arts presented honorary shields to distinguished guests and participants.

It is worth noting that the forum covered several key areas, including workshops for professional skill development (such as CV writing, interview preparation, and building a professional identity), training sessions on launching small projects, digital marketing strategies, and remote job opportunities. It also featured an employment fair with the participation of local and international companies and institutions, a career counseling corner, a dedicated space for supporting student projects and young entrepreneurs, and discussion panels on the future of employment and labor market transformations in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.