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Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University, and Prof. Ghada Farouk, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, Ain Shams University participated in the first quarterly meeting of partner universities in the Interreg NEXT-MED "EUSEEDS" project. This project, funded by the European Union and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), aims to establish a Francophone University Center at Ain Shams University and enhance the role of universities in developing young people's skills and preparing them for the labor market.

The university was represented at the meeting by Mr. Islam Ezzat, Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Archaeology and Principal Investigator for the project. Participants reviewed the achievements of the current phase and the work plan for the upcoming period, within the framework of cooperation among partner universities across the Mediterranean region.

The meeting witnessed the announcement of the completion of a study identifying the skills required by the labor market. This study contributed to developing the training content for Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in both digital and soft skills, ensuring that training programs align with the actual needs of the labor market and enhance graduates' future readiness.

The assessment of the equipment needs of the university centers participating in the project was also completed, paving the way for upgrading their infrastructure and maximizing the benefits of the training services provided.

The meeting sessions addressed the monitoring and evaluation system, performance measurement mechanisms, and data collection, ensuring the project's objectives are achieved and its impact on beneficiaries and partner universities is maximized.

The actual implementation phase of the training programs is scheduled to begin in September 2026. Participating universities will implement programs to prepare more than 80 trainers in soft skills, at least 60 trainers in digital skills, and 40 trainers specializing in supporting and training the most vulnerable groups.

Ain Shams University's participation in the project stems from its strategy aimed at strengthening international partnerships, developing the capabilities of students and graduates, and supporting employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. This aligns with the rapid changes in the local and international labor market and reinforces the university's position as a leading academic institution in the fields of innovation and sustainable development.