Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, confirmed that the Corona pandemic led to an acceleration of the pace of digitization, and created great opportunities in the field of information technology. He explained that according to a global report that was applied to thousands of companies from different countries, the number of companies wanting to digitize their work has increased from 25% before the pandemic to 64% after weeks of the pandemic; He pointed to the global trend towards partnership between humans and technology in disciplines such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual reality and augmented reality, which has resulted in a significant change in the number and nature of jobs around the world.

This came in a speech by Dr. Amr Talaat during his participation in a symposium entitled "Digital Egypt... Transformation into an Integrated Digital Society", organized by Ain Shams University at El-Mahalawy Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine; In the presence of Dr. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of the University, Dr. Ayman Saleh, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Ghada Farouk, Acting as Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, Dr. Osama Mansour, Acting Dean of Ain Shams College of Medicine, and Dr. Gehan Ragab, Vice President’s Advisor For Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs and the coordinator of the symposium, with the participation of more than 500 students from Ain Shams University

Dr. Amr Talaat pointed out in his speech that the countries that use modern technology most currently are experiencing a decrease in unemployment rates; He explained that information technology provided opportunities for young people to compete in global labor markets; Adding that data science-related jobs are the most attractive in the 21st century, especially those related to word processing specialist, statistician, robot-speaker designer, digital ethicist, and machine learning programmer; He called on the attending students to develop their abilities in a way that qualifies them to compete in the local, regional and international labor markets.

Dr. Amr Talaat touched on the stages of technological development; Noting that humanity's adaptation to modern inventions and technology has become more rapid; Whereas, according to the time rates required to reach 50 million users; It took the world 50 years to reach this number of landline phone users; While it takes 46 years for electricity, 19 months for Instagram, and just 19 days for Pokemon Go.

Dr. Amr Talaat pointed to the use of technology in various fields, including personalized medicine, genetic development, 3D printing of human organs and artificial intelligence image analysis. He explained the emerging industries that are most in demand in the market, including the fields of multidisciplinary engineering, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and urban design, such as the smart city that relies on communications and information technology in its management and facilities, including smart energy, smart health care, and smart transportation.

Dr. Amr Talaat explained that the training system at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology targets both ICT specialists and non-specialists who wish to learn and employ technology in their field of work, stressing that the ministry has established 8 Digital Egypt Creativity Centers as a first stage and is currently working on establishing 14 a new center in the second phase; He added that there are more than 150 services on the digital Egypt platform, and projects are being implemented to provide access to the Internet and raise its efficiency, which has led to an 8-fold increase in the speed of the Internet, making Egypt the first on the African continent in Internet speed.

In response to students' questions; Dr. Amr Talaat affirmed the ministry's keenness to build the digital capabilities of youth to provide competencies and skills that are the backbone of the ICT industry, and are among the most important challenges facing this industry.

Dr. Amr Talaat pointed out that digital transformation is one of the tributaries of building a digital Egypt. Where the ministry cooperates with all ministries to digitize its services, explaining the registration procedures and verification criteria on the digital Egypt platform; He stressed the ministry's keenness to take all measures to ensure the protection of citizens' data on the platform.

Dr. Amr Talaat also praised Ain Shams University and the efforts of the president of the university; Explaining the areas of cooperation between the ministry and the university to raise the efficiency of the university's information infrastructure, increase the speed of the Internet, and achieve steady steps in digital transformation within the university; Noting that the university is the most advanced in the automation of university hospitals.

In his speech, Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of Ain Shams University, welcomed the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, describing him as one of the most important experts in the region and the world; He stressed the university's keenness to hold important events for its students, to educate them and make them aware of all developments at various levels; He referred to the continuous support of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to the university in a great technical and in kind way, in addition to communicating daily and around the clock with the ministry and solving any problem that may arise immediately.

He also touched on the period of the spread of the Covid-19 virus, which was a challenge for everyone, which led to the inevitability of digital transformation in a large and unprecedented way, as the university made an electronic platform (LMS) that included recording lectures, interactive and non-interactive lectures, electronic payment and others, stressing that This is not only at the university level, but also includes all ministries, bodies and institutions in Egypt, pointing to the automation of university hospitals at Ain Shams University, which was carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Health, which is now a few steps away from achieving it completely.

He referred to the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technological Development carried out by Ain Shams University, as well as the Employment Center for Ain Shams University graduates to receive ideas and visions among students, young researchers and graduates, and the support required for the success of these projects from all state institutions, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Dr. Ayman Saleh, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, expressed his happiness at discussing such serious topics that would raise the level of students' awareness. He pointed out that Egypt's success in digital transformation is the success that ensures its continuity of presence among the largest countries in the world.

Dr. Ghada Farouk, Acting Vice President for Community Affairs and Environmental Development, welcomed the attendance at Ain Shams University; She added that digital transformation has become a necessity of life and not a luxury because it is intertwined with all scientific disciplines.