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Under the patronage of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; Prof. Rami Maher Sadek Ghali, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs; and Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and as part of the Faculty's commitment to bridging academic education and labor market requirements and providing students with opportunities to explore the realities and challenges of their future profession, the Tourist Guidance Department organized a seminar featuring Mr. Samir Abdel Wahab, Acting Head of the Tourist Guides Syndicate, to introduce students to the nature of professional work in the tourism sector and its requirements.

The seminar reflects the University and Faculty's commitment to enhancing the educational process and connecting academic knowledge with practical applications, helping prepare qualified graduates capable of adapting to changing labor market demands.

At the beginning of the event, Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, welcomed Mr. Samir Abdel Wahab, Acting Head of the Tourist Guides Syndicate, at her office, reaffirming the faculty’s commitment to strengthening ties with professional leaders and drawing on their expertise to enhance education and prepare students for their future careers.

Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally emphasized the importance of engaging with experienced professionals and providing students with opportunities to gain firsthand insights into the realities of working in tourist guidance and its evolving requirements. She noted that such initiatives strengthen students' ability to connect academic learning with practical experience and enhance their readiness to enter the labor market.

For her part, Dr. Dina Sadek, Head of the Tourist Guidance Department, highlighted the importance of organizing such meetings, which enable students to engage directly with industry professionals, understand the realities of the profession, and identify the skills required to succeed in the tourism sector. She stressed that these opportunities contribute to students' academic and professional development while opening up broader career prospects.

During the seminar, Mr. Samir Abdel Wahab explained that tourist guiding extends far beyond providing historical and archaeological information. The profession requires a comprehensive set of skills, including proficiency in foreign languages, effective communication, time management, adaptability to cultural differences, and extensive knowledge of Egyptian history, civilization, arts, customs, and traditions.

He noted that the profession faces several challenges, including the tourism sector's vulnerability to economic and political developments and global crises, increasing competition, the constant need to update knowledge and skills, compliance with professional and legal regulations, and the diverse expectations of tourists.

He also emphasized the importance of keeping pace with digital transformation and leveraging modern technologies to deliver tourism-related content and communicate effectively with clients.

Mr. Samir Abdel Wahab also outlined various career opportunities available to graduates of the Tourist Guidance Department, including working as independent tourist guides or with travel agencies, participating in cultural tours and specialized excursions, and pursuing careers in museums, archaeological sites, and visitor centers. Additional opportunities include tourism content creation, translation, tourism marketing, and cultural event management.

He stressed that specializing in areas such as cultural, religious, or ecotourism, alongside developing digital and language skills, can significantly expand graduates' career opportunities.

He further emphasized that practical training and building professional networks are essential to career success. He encouraged students to take advantage of field visits, continuous training, and participation in activities and events, while developing their presentation, public speaking, research, and interpersonal skills.

The seminar addressed several key topics related to labor market requirements in tourist guidance, highlighting the importance of developing the professional skills and specialized knowledge needed to work in the sector. Discussions also explored the nature of the profession, the challenges facing its practitioners, available career opportunities for graduates, and the role of academic education and practical training in preparing qualified tourist guides capable of showcasing Egypt's rich historical, cultural, and tourism heritage.

At the conclusion of the seminar, Prof. Hanan Kamel Metwally presented a commemorative shield to Mr. Samir Abdel Wahab in appreciation of his participation and valuable contributions. Commemorative photographs were also taken to mark the occasion.