Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, emphasized the importance of capitalizing on the major developments in the fields of information technology, computing, and communications, particularly projects related to artificial intelligence, programming, and IT.
He added that identifying a problem in the working environment or in a field where an information network is available, and working on finding a simplified solution using AI, programming, and IT techniques, then converting this solution into a marketable tool in demand, represents one of the simplest and easiest paths to launch a project with limited capital.
This came in the context of the participation of the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Dr. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, in an open meeting with Egyptian university students to discuss labor market issues, entrepreneurship, opportunities available to youth, and their role in shaping the future, with the participation of 150 students from various Egyptian universities.
The meeting witnessed an interactive dialogue between the two ministers and the students, addressing several topics regarding the key skills required to establish and succeed in projects, priority sectors and business areas, and developments taking place in the labor market.
At the beginning of the open dialogue, responding to a question about how the Minister viewed the future when he was a university student, Dr. Ahmed Rostom stated that thinking about the future back then was driven by the ambition that motivated studying, learning, and acquiring experience.
Perseverance, Knowledge, and Optimism Are Key Essentials for Achieving One's Goals and Pursuits
He also stressed the importance of facing challenges with a spirit of optimism and determination to overcome them, repeating attempts to overcome these challenges multiple times, as some challenges require the accumulation of experience before we can surpass them and achieve our goals. He reiterated that perseverance, knowledge, and optimism are among the most crucial assets a person must possess to reach their goals and accomplish their endeavors.
The Minister of Planning noted that Microsoft was historically one of the cited models that grew from an idea into a massive empire in the field of information and communication technology.
Importance of Investing in Social Media Platforms in Areas that Contribute to Acquiring New Skills and Experience
Dr. Ahmed Rostom advised students to remain committed to study, continuous learning, and avoiding despair, while working to accumulate experiences and skills as much as possible, pointing to the importance of investing in social media platforms in aspects that contribute to acquiring new skills and expertise.
Cloud Computing Dominates a Large Part of Discussions Among Various Institutions and Government Agencies
The meeting also discussed priority sectors and the skills necessary to establish and succeed in projects in light of rapid economic and technological changes. In this context, Rostom explained that Cloud Computing is among the important topics receiving government attention, taking center stage in discussions among various relevant institutions and government bodies, where all dimensions and forms of this field are being studied to ensure solid foundations are built for its expansion, despite the rapid momentum in neighboring countries in this area.
He added that Egypt witnessed the establishment of its first data center with private sector participation through an Egyptian-European investment announced about a month ago, affirming that the private sector has begun moving toward this vital sector, which requires proactive engagement to leverage its promising investment opportunities.
He continued that ensuring the sustainability and expansion of data centers requires providing the necessary energy sources for continuous operation, noting that power provision represents the primary challenge in this domain.
He highlighted the President's instructions to the government to formulate necessary plans and programs to raise the reliance on new and renewable energy to between 42% and 45% by 2030, through expanding renewable energy plants—whether solar or wind powered—thereby contributing to foreign currency savings.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom underscored the importance of electronic storage as a promising and key area for investment, along with information security and its fundamental requirements, including cybersecurity, stressing the necessity of addressing existing challenges and utilizing available capacities through further innovation to expand opportunities and potential in this sector.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both ministers reviewed a series of advice and guidance for the youth, based on their practical experience, to support them in capitalizing on available opportunities and planning their career paths.
