In a significant cross-border collaboration aimed at tackling youth unemployment, the UAE’s The Digital School and Egypt’s Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) have launched ‘Jusur Al Foras’ (Bridges of Opportunity). This landmark initiative, supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), aims to qualify 100,000 young people in Egypt for the modern job market through tech-enabled training pathways.
The partnership seeks to directly bridge the gap between skill acquisition and employment, with a target of connecting at least 10,000 participants to tangible job opportunities. The initiative will be implemented by The Digital School and Egyptian recruitment platform Shaghalni, combining vocational training with direct links to employers.
A Landmark Partnership For Youth Empowerment
The initiative was formalised through a partnership agreement signed by key regional leaders, including His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Chairman of The Digital School, and Eng. Naguib Sawiris, Founder and Vice Chairman of SFSD.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama highlighted the initiative’s role in empowering youth. “Jusur Al Foras initiative is a significant step toward equipping youth for the job market, by empowering them with the skills necessary to secure suitable employment… We look forward to building on this success through our role in Jusur Al Foras initiative.”
Eng. Naguib Sawiris emphasized the alignment with SFSD’s long-standing mission. “Job creation has long been a fundamental pillar of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development’s mission… As the job market evolves, securing sustainable employment is no longer possible through conventional models alone. It requires innovative data-driven solutions that keep pace with the rapid advancements of our time.”
Bridging The Gap With A ‘Skills-to-Jobs’ Model
Jusur Al Foras employs a “Skills-to-Jobs” model, where training is directly aligned with current market demands to prioritise employment outcomes. By leveraging digital and blended learning, the initiative aims to transcend geographical and social barriers, making training accessible to youth across Egypt.
The Digital School will spearhead the upskilling programmes through its Skills Academies, offering structured courses designed to build practical, job-ready competencies.
Simultaneously, Shaghalni will analyze the Egyptian job market, build partnerships with employers, and facilitate the recruitment process. This integrated approach ensures a seamless transition for participants from training to potential employment.
Eng. Omar Khalifa, CEO of Shaghalni, noted the importance of adapting to a changing landscape. “As AI continues to evolve and reshape the job market, staying behind is no longer an option… This partnership marks a major milestone for Shaghalni, paving the way for further regional collaboration and tangible, scalable impact.”
Fostering UAE-Egypt Ties Through Tech-Driven Philanthropy
The launch of Jusur Al Foras underscores the strengthening strategic ties between the UAE and Egypt. The joint support from MBRGI and SFSD establishes a powerful model for development driven by tech-focused public-private partnerships. By aligning educational programs with real economic demand, the initiative offers an innovative and scalable solution to enhance livelihoods and foster inclusive growth, positioning Egyptian youth as active participants in the country’s economic future.
About The Digital School
Launched in 2020 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as part of MBRGI, The Digital School is the first internationally accredited digital school providing high-quality remote learning to students in underserved regions. It leverages AI to offer personalized, data-driven learning plans and its programs benefit over 800,000 people in 39 countries.
About The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development
Established in 2001, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) is a leading grant-making organization in Egypt dedicated to promoting sustainable development. SFSD focuses on addressing challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to quality education for marginalized groups across the country.
About Shaghalni
Shaghalni is an online recruitment platform in Egypt that connects job seekers with companies across various sectors. The platform focuses on empowering university graduates, mid-level qualification holders, and skilled artisans and technicians, including People of Determination, by helping them build digital profiles and access direct job placements.
Source: Zawya
