Experts Urge Youth to Invest Time in Learning and Work at Start 2026 Summit

Session from Classroom to Leadership.

The fifth session of the Start 2026 summit, titled “From Classroom to Leadership,” was held under the guidance of media personality Rami Radwan. Key speakers included Amy Mowafi, co-founder of MO4, Dr. Sherin Helmy, CEO of Pharco Pharmaceuticals, Ahmed Hamouda, co-founder and CEO of Thander, and Hisham Meharan, CEO of Orange Egypt.

Dr. Sherin Helmy emphasized the importance of having a clear goal and a genuine mission. He stated that hope and determining the right path are essential starting points for success. Sharing his entrepreneurial journey, he noted that success comes from investing in oneself and understanding opportunities through diligent work. He urged young people to utilize their time for learning or working as it is the fastest route to building a successful future.

Amy Mowafi recounted her professional journey, highlighting that she began her career when social media and digital content creation were not as prevalent as they are today. This required significant effort to seek knowledge and create opportunities. She stressed that skills and experiences constitute real capital for individuals, with her academic and professional experiences both in Egypt and abroad shaping her career perspective. Mowafi concluded by asserting that commitment, diligence, and a continuous pursuit of self-improvement are fundamental pillars of success.

Ahmed Hamouda shared his personal experience, stating that artificial intelligence technologies are now accessible to everyone at low costs across various fields. He underscored that true investment begins with education, hard work, and effective time management as crucial elements for achieving goals.

Dr. Hisham Meharan from Orange Egypt highlighted that practical training and early exposure to the job market are vital for developing the skills employers seek. He pointed out that opportunities for success and employment do not arise by chance but are the results of consistent work, experience acquisition, and a constant readiness for development.

The Start 2026 event commenced today at the Grand Egyptian Museum under the patronage of Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity. The initiative is executed by the Social Solidarity Units project at universities affiliated with the ministry and enjoys broad participation from success partners and sponsors who supported the event financially.

Approximately 30,000 students from various Egyptian universities attended the event alongside over 300 companies from major institutions in the private sector, providing real employment opportunities along with training and direct networking between youth and employers.

The event also featured participation from 70 career counselors providing guidance sessions on job orientation, alongside specialized workshops aimed at preparing youth for the job market. Additionally, around 3,000 scholarships for English language studies and skill development were offered, along with 1,000 scholarships provided by Banque Misr to support efforts in preparing youth for competitiveness in the labor market.