Prof. Hisham Al-Hariri, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs, opened workshops in the field of entrepreneurship and the agricultural field, under the auspices of Prof. Ahmed Jalal, Dean of the Faculty, and in the presence of Prof. Reem Al Kabariti, Director of the Alumni Association at Ain Shams University, Dr. Weam Mahmoud, Executive Director of the ASU I hub Center at Ain Shams University, and under the supervision of Prof. Lamia Mostafa Radwan, Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit at the Faculty of Agriculture and Coordinator of the Alumni Association at the Faculty of Agriculture, at Ain Shams University, with the presence of Eng. Fadi Ibrahim, CEO of cropsa, and Mr. Abanoub Jamal, Operations Manager at cropsa.
Entrepreneurship began to spread dramatically in Egypt in the last 10 years, and agricultural investment has witnessed great growth in Egypt in the recent period, with the growth of a large number of projects related to the agricultural field, whether productive, manufacturing or even commercial, that contribute to providing knowledge and experience that helps students think and innovate. In a distinctive and new way, by explaining and discussing some very important topics in the field of entrepreneurship and small agricultural projects, these workshops contribute and help students build their future in the field of entrepreneurship and the agricultural field.
Prof. Reem Al-Kabariti, Director of the Alumni Association Department at Ain Shams University, explained that the association works to bring together graduates of Ain Shams University in all fields and different faculties in order to strengthen meaningful links with each other, participate and learn from each other, and preserve the educational mission, the rich heritage, and the establishment and promotion of Ain Shams University
Through the association, channels of communication are opened between the university and its graduates by providing them with optimal professional guidance to link university students with the labor market and entrepreneurship, communication between graduates and the Career Development Center to assist graduates in the labor market, and maintaining contact between graduates and the university on the one hand, and regional and local community institutions. On the other hand, obtaining the support of graduates, to promote international university recognition.
By strengthening bonds of collegiality and cooperation between the university and alumni through social events or events, such as ceremonies and community services and assisting other students with scholarships or supporting activities or awards, fostering a sense of loyalty among alumni towards their university, helping graduates find job opportunities that benefit their fields of specialization and holding training courses to develop their skills and professional competence through cooperation with the Career Development Center (workshops, webinars, professional job databases, and vocational training), and encourages the graduate to help enhance the university’s image and reputation through local, regional and international relations that help improve the university’s global ranking.
Dr. Weam Mahmoud, Executive Director of the ASU I hub Center at Ain Shams University, indicated the importance of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Ain Shams University as a strong and effective link between the field of education, training, and academic research on the one hand, and the field of industry, services and businessmen on the other hand, and providing an opportunity for university youth to communicate with the business sector by inviting workers In the industry sector and the private sector to give confidence to young ideas produced by student researchers and graduates and support them financially, in addition to programs to prepare students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in a single and integrated tripartite system for the first time aimed at convergence of paths, research and optimal investment in the creative energies that are abundantly present at Ain Shams University, the center aims to innovate, create, develop skills, nurture talented people, and entrepreneurship to start-up companies, and directly link the academic community with industry, agriculture, and the requirements of the ever-changing labor market.
Engineer Fadi Ibrahim, CEO of cropsa, gave a simplified definition and explanation of the company because it is considered the first integrated platform for agricultural production in Egypt, through which all agricultural field services can be accomplished in a simple way and at the lowest costs to achieve the best return, and to deliver the product to the consumer easily and in a simple technological manner through various development processes. Which leads to reducing losses and increasing profits, and we seek to reduce the percentage of losses from agricultural production, preservation and development of current production, and we seek to develop productive awareness of workers in the field and help them achieve high results in a unique way within the agricultural system through the use of advanced technological solutions.
The company provides many opportunities, courses, and workshops for students by providing several programs such as Your green future program presented by Cropsa, Innovation Hub - IHub, Iclub Agr, 3almni student activity, and ASU Alumni, and this opportunity contributes to helping students learn The most important skills of entrepreneurship and business development, methods of keeping pace with technology and developments for the success of the idea or project, defining a clear career path in the agricultural field, the most important opportunities and companies, and how they work distinguished agriculture research, agricultural entrepreneurship and the challenges in the agricultural field help students to innovate in solving agricultural problems, learn about the most effective methods in agriculture, exploit limited spaces and capabilities, plan agricultural projects, analyze project components, and plan the entire production process.
Prof. Lamia Mostafa Radwan, Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit at the Faculty of Agriculture and Coordinator of the Alumni Association at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, explained that the framework of the constant endeavor of Ain Shams University to raise the level of students and graduates and qualify them for job opportunities and launch your Green Future program at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University to train and qualify students and recent graduates of the faculty and provide them with entrepreneurial skills to increase their competitiveness and provide a supportive climate for students and graduates to develop their skills.
She indicated that the “Your Green Future” program is an opportunity to explore the new challenges facing the world of agriculture, the environment, and sustainable development, as we live in an era in which the need for innovation and creativity in the field of agriculture and sustainable development is increasing, and this is what makes the program an important part of your academic and professional journey, and an opportunity to learn, communicate, cooperate and exchange ideas and experiences among graduates, speakers, and those interested in the field of agriculture, the environment, and sustainable development, and the use of opportunities for reflection, inspiration, excitement, and identification of new and innovative ideas for a green future.
In conclusion, she recommended the students not to wait for graduation in order to start joining training courses and training in the labor market and explained the need to develop their skills during the study from the first year of joining the college by joining the training courses provided by Ain Shams University through its various centers, as well as the opportunities offered by the Ministry of Higher Education with the support and the development of its students, and the need to follow the official pages of the university’s training centers and the Ministry of Higher Education and to enroll in all training courses, and every person has a skill that God has distinguished him with. He must reveal and develop it while developing his skills and learning complementary teamwork to achieve achievements in record time. She also recommended the need to participate in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions that give them multiple skills. Everyone who participated in a competition is already a winner because he has acquired different skills.
In conclusion, models of students at the Faculty of Agriculture who won various competitions for innovation and entrepreneurship were presented in order to pass on their expertise and experience to their colleagues and to win first and second places in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions at the university level.
Due to the high demand and the large numbers, the event was moved online, and successive specialized courses will be held for attendance at the ASU I Hub Center at Ain Shams University, in addition to sending exams to attend via e-mail and personal interviews to prepare their attendance for subsequent sessions according to their skills demonstrated by the tests and meeting with them.