The joint initiative provides academic, financial, and professional support to students at eight leading Egyptian universities, aiming to bridge the digital skills gap and empower future leaders.
Vodafone Egypt Foundation and the Sawiris Foundation celebrate the selection of the first cohort of the Tech-Start scholarship in technological disciplines.
The scholarship provides academic, financial, and professional support to 25 outstanding high school graduates to enroll at eight leading Egyptian universities, aiming to bridge the digital skills gap and empower future leaders.
By: Pakinam Khaled
The Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Community Development, in strategic partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, celebrated the previously announced Tech-Start scholarship, which provides comprehensive academic, financial, and professional support to 25 students from various governorates in technological disciplines. A grand ceremony was held today in downtown Cairo, attended by leading figures from both institutions, representatives from universities and relevant government agencies, strategic partners, and a host of media representatives. This event underscores both parties' commitment to supporting technological education and developing human capital in Egypt.
The ceremony included speeches by several government officials, a storytelling presentation highlighting the students' journeys and aspirations, and a presentation of the Tech-Start program by implementing partner Aspire. The event concluded with the honoring of the students and a celebration of their achievements.
This initiative represents an investment in Egypt's future technology leaders. The first cohort of 25 outstanding students from eight leading Egyptian universities was officially selected after passing rigorous technical tests based on merit and academic excellence.
The Tech-Start scholarship offers a comprehensive support model that goes beyond traditional financial aid. It covers full tuition and accommodation expenses, in addition to providing students with laptops and internet access to ensure an equitable learning environment. The program also includes excellent career guidance opportunities, summer internships, and academic and practical skills development programs, effectively bridging the gap between academic studies and the demands of the evolving job market.
For his part, Engineer Mohamed Hanna, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Community Development, said: “The launch of the Tech-Start scholarship in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development represents a strategic step towards investing in the capabilities of Egyptian youth and equipping them with the tools and skills necessary to excel in technology fields. The scholarship provides a comprehensive support system encompassing academic, financial, and professional aspects, reflecting Vodafone Egypt Foundation’s commitment to developing technological education, which forms the cornerstone of the nation’s future and supports the state’s efforts to promote digital transformation and build a national workforce capable of innovation and global competitiveness.”
Commenting on this, Shahdan Aram, Secretary General of the Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Community Development, explained: “This initiative underscores the importance of collaboration across all sectors to achieve a sustainable impact on youth empowerment and digital skills development. This contributes to meeting labor market needs, enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian talent in the global technology market, and supporting Egypt’s efforts to build a workforce capable of leading innovation.”
Professor Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, added: “The Tech-Start grant represents a strategic investment in Egypt’s ability to compete in the global digital economy. This program aligns with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development’s vision of empowering a new generation of change-makers, as scholarships are one of the most important drivers of investment in human capital. Today, we support a comprehensive portfolio of grant programs spanning science, technology, engineering, and business, to arts, culture, and development practices, believing that inclusive development always begins with investing in people. We are proud of our partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, which represents a true model of integration between the private sector and development work, and we look forward to celebrating its milestone in 2026.” Twenty-five years since its founding, the foundation aims to expand this partnership model to build a deeper and more sustainable impact for Egypt's future.
Through the Tech-Start grant, the Vodafone Egypt Foundation for Community Development and the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development reaffirm their shared commitment to empowering youth, developing their skills, and enhancing their practical and personal capabilities. This contributes to preparing distinguished Egyptian talent capable of facing future challenges and actively participating in the development of society and the economy.
