Graduation Projects: A Hidden Wealth Within Universities, Says Expert

Dr. Tharwat Imbabi, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Agriculture at Benha University and head of the Agriculture and Irrigation Committee for the Al-Wa’i Party, emphasized that graduation projects represent a genuine wealth generated within universities each year. He noted that many innovative ideas offering solutions to economic, social, and technical issues often fade into obscurity after academic discussions, failing to reach practical implementation.

Dr. Imbabi added that thousands of projects discussed annually in Egyptian and Arab universities carry actionable visions. However, the absence of a mechanism linking these ideas to real-world needs prevents their utilization, leading to significant efforts from students and faculty members going to waste.

He continued by stating that the gap between the moment a project is praised in discussion halls and the post-graduation phase represents a real loss. These projects could evolve into products, services, or startups if a supportive environment for implementation is available.

Furthermore, he indicated that transforming graduation projects from limited academic outputs into developmental resources necessitates collaboration among the government, universities, and the private sector. He affirmed that international experiences have demonstrated the success of this model in bolstering the knowledge economy and fostering innovation.

Dr. Imbabi highlighted global examples where major companies have emerged from university research, underscoring the importance of connecting education with labor market needs. He pointed out that countries like South Korea have successfully leveraged academic innovation to benefit their national economy.

He explained that Egyptian and Arab universities possess significant untapped potential, as engineering and computer science faculties offer technical solutions while agricultural colleges propose ideas for improving agricultural production. Additionally, economic and management faculties contribute to institutional development, while humanities and media colleges support community awareness initiatives.

Dr. Imbabi asserted that adopting these projects not only provides educational support but could also serve as a national innovation project generating job opportunities. He stressed that many of these ideas could transform into startups or local products supporting the national economy.

He noted that turning this vision into reality requires establishing a national database for outstanding projects and forming joint evaluation committees involving universities, the private sector, and executive bodies. Moreover, it is essential to provide business incubators, initial funding, and align ideas with market needs.

In conclusion, he pointed out that supporting graduation projects also reflects on the human aspect by enhancing young people’s confidence in their ideas and narrowing the gap between education and the labor market. He emphasized that the real challenge lies not in a lack of ideas but in the absence of a bridge to carry them into execution.