Three Ministries Sign Cooperation Agreement to Enhance Training and Employment Opportunities

Dr. Maya Morsi, the Minister of Social Solidarity, and Hassan Raddad, the Minister of Labor, recently signed a memorandum of understanding involving the Ministries of Social Solidarity, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Labor, the National Academy for Training, the Qaderoon Fund for People with Disabilities, and the American University in Cairo.

The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President, Dr. Slafah Jouili, Executive Director of the National Academy for Training, Dr. Ahmed Dallal, President of the American University in Cairo, and Dina El-Sayari, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity for International Cooperation and Relations.

Among those who signed the memorandum were Dr. Mohamed Al-Aqabi, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity; Dr. Hossam El-Din Mohamed Salah, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Engineer Yasmin Mamdouh, Head of the Central Administration for Vocational Training; Dr. Taher Nasr, Deputy Executive Director of the National Academy for Training; Zeina Tawakol, Executive Director of the Qaderoon Fund; and Dr. Ihab Abdel Rahman, Vice President of the American University in Cairo.

This memorandum aims to establish a framework for coordination and collaboration in training areas, capacity building, rehabilitation, and employment support while facilitating knowledge transfer among stakeholders. It focuses on enhancing professional readiness for individuals with disabilities by maximizing benefits from the national network of services available to them.

Dr. Maya Morsi expressed her appreciation for signing this memorandum among all partners, emphasizing that success requires collective effort. She noted that her ministry aims to leverage the national network’s platform “Taaheel” to present training and guidance programs in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

She further highlighted efforts to support referral mechanisms for individuals with disabilities through this platform while coordinating events and awareness campaigns alongside social solidarity units within universities to facilitate access to programs offered by universities when external funding is available.

Morsi also mentioned plans to establish informational points within universities as needed to present services and programs offered by her ministry for individuals with disabilities while providing direct guidance and addressing inquiries regarding disability registration procedures.

Hassan Raddad affirmed that there is integration and cooperation among ministries to implement state plans aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the labor market. He stressed that this initiative is a direct mandate from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi who places significant importance on economically and socially empowering individuals with disabilities.

Raddad added that his ministry approaches this issue through a comprehensive system starting from education and training leading up to actual employment integration based on each individual’s abilities.

He commended employers who comply with legal mandates regarding hiring individuals with disabilities while aiming to transform this legal obligation into a societal culture that recognizes their capabilities.

Dr. Hossam El-Din Mohamed Salah stated that his ministry seeks to support program implementation through coordination with stakeholders while ensuring alignment with academic priorities.

Slaafa Jouili highlighted that the academy aims to implement training programs tailored for employees who are individuals with disabilities in government ministries aimed at enhancing their personal skills as well as computer literacy and language proficiency through collaboration between her academy and social solidarity ministries along with the American University in Cairo.

Zeina Tawakol noted that her fund aims to provide technical support while sharing best practices in capacity building efforts related to this memorandum.

Dr. Ahmed Dallal confirmed that his university will facilitate practical training opportunities for graduates who are individuals with disabilities within its institution as well as offer continuing education programs designed specifically for them in collaboration with social solidarity ministries.