Al-Azhar University has been recognized as the top university in Egypt for entrepreneurship, a significant milestone that coincides with the graduation of the first cohort from its “Pioneering Teacher” program, an initiative designed to embed entrepreneurial thinking within its academic faculty.
The university celebrated the graduation of 71 faculty members from across its various theoretical and practical colleges who completed the inaugural program, organized by the university’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.
A National Recognition for Entrepreneurship
Dr. Salama Gomaa Daoud, President of the University, praised the achievement as a testament to the outstanding efforts led by Dr. Mohamed Galal, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. He highlighted that the top ranking reinforces the university’s position and demonstrates its commitment to supporting Egypt’s national goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt Vision 2030.
“Innovation and entrepreneurship are the secret to the renaissance and progress of nations,” stated Dr. Daoud. He emphasized the university’s urgent need for faculty to exchange expertise and develop skills among their peers.
In a move to further encourage excellence, Dr. Daoud announced that the university’s council has approved the launch of Scientific Excellence Awards, with financial prizes totaling EGP 150,000 for distinguished individuals across various scientific fields.
Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset in Educators
The “Pioneering Teacher” program is the first of its kind to be designed and implemented within an Egyptian university. According to Dr. Mohamed Galal, the program’s core mission is to redefine the role of a faculty member from a mere transmitter of knowledge to an enabler of learning, a catalyst for innovation, and a leader of interactive educational environments focused on solving real-world problems.
Dr. Galal explained that the program equips participating faculty with practical skills and tools for designing entrepreneurial curricula, applying active learning methodologies, and linking their courses to the needs of the job market and industry. This encourages students to innovate, work collaboratively, and transform ideas into viable models, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the educational process and its outcomes.
Impacting the Next Generation
The direct impact of this ambitious project is expected to be seen in the university’s graduates. The initiative aims to produce alumni who possess an entrepreneurial mindset, strong analytical capabilities, and the 21st-century skills necessary to create new job opportunities and adapt to a rapidly changing world.
“This prepares a graduate who is qualified to create new job opportunities, adapt to rapid changes, and participate effectively in finding innovative and unconventional solutions to future challenges at the societal, economic, and industrial levels,” Dr. Galal added. The program serves as a key driver in the shift towards sustainable education by building human capabilities for continuous learning and linking education directly to national development.
About The Al-Azhar Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center at Al-Azhar University is an institutional body dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among students and faculty. The center designs and implements programs that aim to transform the university’s educational approach, aligning it with the demands of a knowledge-based economy and contributing to Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Source: Cairo 24
