Egypt's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center Director Addresses Innovation Challenges at Competition Closing Ceremony

Dr. Heba Zaki, Director of Egypt's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, affiliated with the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, participated in the closing ceremony of the Egypt Innovation Development Competition.

During her speech, Dr. Heba Zaki highlighted the current global challenges stemming from geopolitical conflicts, financial crises, and the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized the imperative for societies to exhibit flexibility and adaptability to uncertainty, with innovation being paramount in confronting these challenges.

She underscored the significance of investing in education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship education in schools to nurture problem-solving skills and cultivate innovative thinking from an early age.

Dr. Heba Zaki showcased Egypt's strides in entrepreneurship and innovation, noting the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development's keen interest in this sphere. She mentioned the establishment of Egypt's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center under the auspices of the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.

She highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the center, including the launch of an electronic platform for entrepreneurs and decision-makers, activation of the e-learning center offering over 72 training programs available in Arabic, English, French, and sign language. Additionally, she mentioned the initiation of three pre-incubation programs in sustainable fashion, biotechnology, and digital transformation, with approximately 60 projects graduating in these areas.

Dr. Heba Zaki mentioned the organization of six idea generation camps benefiting around 300 young individuals from all governorates. She also noted the center's accreditation by the University of Missouri in the United States as an accredited educational center in entrepreneurship and innovation services.

She highlighted a protocol of cooperation between the Governance Institute represented by Egypt's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and the Fund for Innovators and Talents under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This collaboration has led to the launch of a national program to support and accelerate startups - "Start Egypt," with applications opening at the center's upcoming annual event next month.