Latest news with #HumanDevelopment


Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Science
- Business Recorder
News stories for Wajid Islam
While the world sets its sight on mars, Pakistan is moving in a backward trajectory. The latest Human Development...


Zawya
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Youth Knowledge Forum kicks off in Egypt with participation of key experts and industry leaders
Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports attended the opening of the Forum's fourth edition, held at Cairo University Theatre The fourth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF)، titled 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development,' commenced at the Cairo University Theatre, garnering wide participation both regionally and internationally. It is being organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Egypt's Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) through the Youth Knowledge Office, under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt. The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, along with several other ministers and senior officials, including Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture; and Counselor Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Parliamentary and Legal Affairs. The inaugural session was also graced by the presence of H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF; Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University; and Eng. Hany Torky, Project Manager of the Knowledge Project at UNDP, as well as a distinguished group of partners and experts. Furthermore, attendees enjoyed a vibrant lineup of musical and artistic performances by the 'Percussion' troupe. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy emphasized that as the host of the Forum's fourth edition, Egypt has demonstrated its strong commitment to investing in human capital and capacity building. Moreover, he stated that the knowledge economy is the backbone of the nation's ongoing development efforts. He further stated: 'The forum serves as a dynamic platform for impactful dialogue and youth policymaking, redefining benchmarks of how government institutions should engage with youth in an era of digital and knowledge transformation. Through such initiatives, we strive to enhance the creativity, awareness, and leadership qualities of Arab youth, since empowering them today is fundamental to building a cohesive society and a sustainable, competitive economy.' H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, expressed his delight at the Forum's return to Cairo, following the success of last year's edition. He further underscored that Arab youth empowerment remains a cornerstone of the Foundation's strategic vision. Meanwhile, Eng. Hany Torky, Project Manager of UNDP's Knowledge Project, emphasized that the world's greatest challenge today is not a lack of professional opportunities, but a growing skill gap, which is hindering individuals' ability to keep pace with digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Following the opening, the first session titled 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development' was moderated by Mr. Mostafa Magdy, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports for Strategic Affairs and Information, and a member of the Technical Secretariat of the Ministerial Group for Human Development. The session explored the importance of formulating a comprehensive vision for the knowledge economy and examined the role of Egypt's development policies in supporting the same. The event also featured a second session titled 'Formulating Development Policies in the Era of the Knowledge Economy,' which was moderated by Mr. Fathi Emad, Director of the Egyptian Knowledge Youth Office. The session facilitated discussions on enhancing public policies, in line with global shifts in knowledge and innovation. The session witnessed the participation of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports; Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture; H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF; and Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of Cairo University. Together, they outlined Egypt's future vision for strengthening the knowledge economy, emphasizing the need to invest in human capital while fostering robust collaboration between the government and other institutions to drive knowledge-based development. On the first day, the Forum facilitated six specialized panel discussions addressing a variety of key topics, including strategies for advancing the knowledge economy in Egypt, the role of international institutions in fostering a knowledge-friendly environment, the transformation of education to meet the needs of the modern era, artificial intelligence as a key driver of development, and the impact of misinformation on the economy and society. The sessions attracted wide participation from a group of leading executives and experts from prestigious organizations such as Microsoft, Uber, and Blocks 17, in addition to prominent academic and thought leaders. For further information, please contact: Orient Planet Group (OPG) Email: media@ Website:


Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
MBRF and UNDP to organise 4th edition of Youth Knowledge Forum in Egypt
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will jointly organize the fourth edition of the 'Youth Knowledge Forum' (YKF) under the theme 'Knowledge Economy and Human Development' in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The event will be held in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS) in Cairo from 20 to 21 July 2025. YKF will be organized as part of ongoing strategic collaborations aimed at fostering innovation and enhancing the role of youth in advancing knowledge-based development, while empowering them to become key drivers of sustainable development. YKF is a leading intellectual platform that convenes the youth and key decision-makers from various sectors to exchange vital insights and explore solutions to mitigate prevalent challenges. Its primary aim is to devise innovative solutions, which can help bolster the knowledge economy, support entrepreneurship, equip youth with future-ready skills, and reinforce regional and international cooperation among stakeholders invested in youth empowerment. The event builds on the dedicated efforts of MBRF and MOYS, which played a key role in the success of the forum's previous edition. It aims to expand on the achievements made and further enhance its impact. The initiative also reflects MOYS's continued commitment to empowering Egyptian youth with the tools and support they need to shape a bright and prosperous future. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that Egypt's role as the host of YKF's fourth edition reflects the country's commitment to supporting and empowering youth, positioning them as a key pillar in building the New Republic, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He emphasized that YKF serves as a key dialogue platform for enhancing young people's knowledge and skills, while expanding their intellectual horizons in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digital economy. He also praised the fruitful partnership between MBRF and UNDP, which underscores the depth of Arab and international cooperation in youth empowerment and human development. His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, highlighted that the fourth edition of YKF reflects MBRF's longstanding efforts to position the youth as key contributors to ensure a highly innovative and sustainable future. He further stated: 'Through this forum, we aim to foster a proactive culture aimed at enhancing the youths' ability to address future challenges. This can be achieved not only by providing them with the requisite tools, but also by inspiring them to generate solutions and drive social change through the localization and application of knowledge. We are pleased to forge this constructive collaboration with MOYS, further highlighting both entities shared commitment to driving the transition towards an inclusive knowledge economy, one that opens new avenues for Arab youth to become leaders of development and pillars of progress.' 'As the world rapidly transitions towards a knowledge-based economy, empowering youth and enhancing their knowledge and skills has become an essential priority. Egyptian youth possess the ambition and innovation required to become key partners in advancing the country's development. In close partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, through the Knowledge Project and UNDP's programmes in Egypt, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen youth capacities and expand their horizons,' said Mr. Ghimar Deeb, Acting Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Egypt. 'Through a range of initiatives, UNDP Egypt equips young people with critical skills in areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and the green economy, ensuring their active and meaningful contribution to sustainable development.' YKF's agenda will feature a rich lineup of impactful panel discussions and interactive dialogues on key topics related to public and development policies in the age of the knowledge economy. It will also explore ways to foster strategic cooperation and integration between governments and international institutions in this field, while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age and the powerful role of digital media in raising awareness among Generation Alpha. In addition, the event will delve into entrepreneurship and obstacles faced by startups, showcasing inspiring success stories of young entrepreneurs from Egypt and the wider Arab world. Furthermore, discussions will be held on human capital development amid ongoing digital transformation, exploring key themes such as reforming educational systems, enhancing digital and entrepreneurial skills, integrating formal and informal learning, and shifting the focus from traditional education to lifelong learning. It will also highlight the growing impact of AI on the job market and the knowledge economy, while also addressing ethical AI practices in modern societies. Other topics will focus on the role of arts in development, the current state of entrepreneurship in Egypt and the region, entrepreneurs' success stories, and mechanisms to empower startups to become more sustainable and innovative. YKF will conclude with a youth open dialogue, providing a platform for them to share the challenges they face and their aspirations for the future. This will serve as a safe space for the youth to share their ideas, catalyzing the creation of a knowledge-based Arab society grounded in the energy and potential of its youth. It will further reinforce a culture of dialogue, openness and lifelong learning, reflecting both parties' commitment to strengthening knowledge cooperation among Arab nations, while presenting an effective model for youth empowerment as well as creating a positive impact across all sectors and shaping a prosperous and progressive future.


Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Salalah conference urges smarter training policies for AI
SALALAH - The 11th Annual Human Development Conference concluded in Salalah with a unified call to upgrade national training policies and adopt smarter, innovation-led workforce strategies that respond to accelerating technological change. Held under the theme 'Developing Human Capital through Training and Qualification', the two-day event convened senior officials, industry leaders, educators and experts to examine how innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into workforce development, in line with the priorities of Oman Vision 2040. The closing recommendations focused on two main levels: institutional transformation and individual empowerment. At the institutional level, the conference called for the overhaul of traditional training systems. The participants urged public and private sector organisations to align continuous learning programmes with the demands of digital transformation and AI integration. They emphasised the importance of developing structured systems for training needs analysis to ensure resources are directed efficiently and outcomes are measurable. Institutions were also encouraged to implement professional development pathways across all employment tiers to raise productivity and future readiness. At the individual level, the conference urged workers and job-seekers to take greater ownership of their development journeys. This includes setting clear learning goals, pursuing internationally recognised certifications, and actively participating in workshops and volunteer activities — both within and beyond the workplace. These experiences were highlighted as essential for sharpening real-world skills, strengthening employability and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The final day of the conference featured several expert-led sessions. A technical paper presented by OQ Industrial Investments outlined the company's practical approach to identifying training gaps through systematic needs assessments. Another paper examined how organisational culture can shape the success or failure of training initiatives. A third presentation explored the growing value of professional certifications in driving talent development and organisational competitiveness. Two specialised workshops added further depth to the programme. One focused on real-world applications of AI in learning environments, while the other explored methods for measuring the impact and return on investment (ROI) from training activities. A high-level panel discussion, titled 'Future Trends in Human Development: Advanced Training and Qualification', addressed how governments, industries and academic institutions can collaborate to anticipate future skills gaps and build adaptable, innovation-driven employment ecosystems. Organised by Al Asayel Conferences in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, the Office of the Governor of Dhofar, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Dhofar branch, the conference served as a national platform to align human capital development with global trends. As Oman pushes forward with its Vision 2040 agenda, the Salalah conference reinforced the strategic importance of investing in people, modernising education and training systems, and equipping the workforce for a future defined by digital transformation and continuous change.


Times of Oman
14-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Forum offers vital recommendations on developing human resources in Oman
Salalah: The 11th edition of the Annual Human Development Conference concluded in Salalah on Monday with a number of recommendations on developing human resources, both at the institutional and individual levels. This is envisaged through training programmes that capitalise on innovation and artificial intelligence in accordance with the latest international methodologies. On the institutional side, the recommendations laid emphasis on the importance of developing continuous training policies that keep pace with technological transition and labour market requirements. They stressed the need to establish a systematic system for analysing training needs to help enhance the efficiency of resource allocation. The recommendations also underlined the importance of upgrading the capabilities of employees at various job levels as a measure to contribute to their productivity. At the individual level, the conference recommended devising development plans with clear goals to hone the skills of the beneficiaries and prepare them to obtain professional qualifications that enhance their competitiveness. In this respect, the recommendations stressed the importance of benefiting from workshops and volunteer activities extended by the respective organisations.