Ministry of youth has held a national dialogue forum, entitled “With the power of its youth, Long Live Egypt”, chaired by Minister Khalid Abdel Aziz and under the auspices of President El-Sisi.
Its second phase saw holding 61 forums in universities and institutes across different governorates to give the youth the opportunity to present their visions, recommendations and suggestions related to development. They have also discussed university education improvement, youth empowerment and recruitment, and administrative and financial corruption. Among the educational institutes that hosted the forum are Aswan and Fayoum University, The Arab Academy for Science Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT), and Higher Institute of Engineering & Technology (AIET).
In Aswan University, students recommended establishing university entities especially for innovators, offering intensive training courses for skilful students in all majors, and updating curriculums that cope with latest changes and developments.
In Fayoum University, students focused on health care, agriculture and youth empowerment. They have also shed light on some of the problems they face, including shortage in needed raw materials and equipment at practical faculties.
As for administrative and financial corruption, students called on setting up new efficient systems to assess and regulate governmental institutions and lay foundations of accountability to counter all forms of corruption. They have also suggested appointing some youth from university students’ unions to observe administrative performance, in addition to engaging the youth in general in amending corruption laws and regulations.
They also asked that ministries of education, culture and scientific research be given the responsibility of designing curriculums to ensure promoting a culture of integrity and preserving public money and collective thinking.
Students of the AASTMT emphasized the need to change the society’s concept about vocational education and show its importance through media. It is also important to provide these students with proper training that comprises languages, computer science and other skills to qualify them for market and hold specialized courses for their instructors.
Regarding health care, the participating youth proposed improving this sector, as well as pharmaceutical services through developing smart health cards and e-reservation system, sending medical envoys periodically to Upper Egypt, and re-training all health system employees.
In AIET, the students commended updating curriculums and establishing training centres to qualify them for the market, and correcting the concept of high-profile universities. They have also discussed problems with media and its significant role in society, achieving development and promoting culture. Finally, they called on monitoring media platforms to ensure they carry out their jobs in a neutral unique way.
Nemat Satti, Chairman of the Central Administration of Parliament and Civic Education at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said that the second phase of the national forum includes holding 281 societal talks on secondary administrations at different governorates, till mid-August. In addition, 27 dialogue forums will be organised at governorates’ capitals to discuss recommendations concluded by the 281 forums to come up with development outputs that will be presented in a final document at a national conference in Sharm El-Sheikh next September.
