AUC Opens Two Career Development Centers at Mansoura University

Continuing its service mission, AUC has opened two other University Centers for Career Development, funded by the United States Agency for International Development –– this time at Mansoura University.

Ashraf Abdel Basset, acting president of Mansoura University, welcomed the AUC and USAID delegations to celebrate their joint opening of two new career development centers on Mansoura University premises.

Expressing his excitement about the new centers, AUC President Francis Ricciardone said, “We are pleased to cooperate and exchange experiences with Mansoura University in the University Centers for Career Development project that will positively impact students, businesses, industry and Egypt’s economy in general. The project exemplifies The American University in Cairo's mission of service to the Egyptian society over the past 100 years. I thank the American people for making these centers for career development possible through USAID funding and support."

This inauguration follows the launch of two other centers last July at Minia and Beni Suef universities. These initiatives are part of the University Centers for Career Development project being implemented by AUC, which plans to establish 20 centers in 12 public Egyptian universities through USAID funding. The project aims to provide career guidance to around 1 million students, representing almost 70 percent of Egyptian students at public universities.

“These centers will help students prepare for, and attain, employment,” explained USAID/Egypt Mission Director Sherry F. Carlin. “Students who use these career development centers will receive support to tailor their career paths based on market trends.  They will also benefit from linkages between the universities and industries in Delta.”

Reflecting on the launch event, President Ashraf Abdel Basset commented, “The opening of two University Centers for Career Development at Mansoura University in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development and The American University in Cairo will highly contribute to the development of student employability skills, prepare them for the labor market demands and increase their competitiveness. "

To enhance the sustainability of the centers and their services, the AUC team will train and empower Mansoura University career center staff to become qualified career service providers, enabling them to provide professional guidance to university students. The International Labour Organization, a project partner, will train the center's staff on collecting and analyzing labor market information while additionally developing their capacity to serve students with disabilities. Private sector training partners will also collaborate with the centers to provide students with comprehensive training in career management, employability skills, English language and entrepreneurship.