Sawiris Foundation · Nile University · Knowledge Officer · 2022–2023

Digital Pathways for Employment

DPE, a fully funded employability program that trains young Egyptian graduates for in-demand digital careers and connects them directly with employers. I took it from the first concept note to a funded program.

Programs & AcceleratorsProposals & Funding

Funded by

Sawiris Foundation for Social Development

Brought by Nile University

The program film

Inside DPE

The program’s launch film, in Arabic: a path for graduates who want to change careers and learn new skills, the tracks on offer, and the partners behind it.

DPE launch film · 1:11 · Arabic

At a glance

4M EGPprogram funding secured

300+graduates trained

6digital career tracks, over two cycles

Freescholarships for every participant

The objective

Close the gap between what Egyptian graduates learn and what the digital job market hires for: equip young graduates with in-demand digital skills, then connect them directly with employers ready to hire.

My role

I was involved from the very first page. I crafted the concept note developed between Nile University and Knowledge Officer, presented it to the Sawiris Foundation, designed the program and its budget breakdown, and carried it through to the grant that funded its implementation.

End to end

From concept note to funded program

01
Concept note
The problem, the target graduates and the employment outcome, developed between Nile University and Knowledge Officer.
02
Funder pitch
The concept presented to the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.
03
Program design
Six career tracks over two cycles, eligibility, fair selection, training and employer matchmaking.
04
Budget breakdown
Every component costed, from training delivery to outreach and employer events.
05
Funding secured
A 4M EGP grant to implement the program, delivered with Nile University and Knowledge Officer.

The learning path

Six tracks, two cycles

The first cycle ran the three tech tracks, the second the three business tracks. Each track ran for three months, taught in Arabic and English by practitioners from the industry, and ended with a graduation project and an employer matchmaking event.

Cycle 1UX/UI DesignDesigning digital products around their users, from research to interface.

Cycle 1Front-End DevelopmentHTML, CSS and JavaScript, responsive design, GitHub and SEO basics, with job search and interview preparation.

Cycle 1Mobile DevelopmentReact Native, navigation, networking and Redux, through to publishing on iOS and Android.

Cycle 2Digital MarketingPlanning, running and measuring campaigns across digital channels.

Cycle 2Sales DevelopmentA 120-hour track with sales leaders: customer needs, sales strategy, CRM and sales reporting.

Cycle 2Customer SuccessJourney mapping, account management, problem solving and active listening.

How the program was built

Six design choices that kept the program free, fair and focused on jobs.

Fully fundedFree scholarships for every participant, funded by the Sawiris Foundation.

Built for graduatesOpen to graduates of Egyptian universities aged 21 to 30, ready to start a career.

Fair selectionPlaces awarded by random draw among eligible applicants, so every candidate had an equal chance.

Practitioner-ledThree-month tracks taught by people who do the job, with live sessions and a graduation project.

Employer matchmakingOnline hiring events where graduates met recruitment platforms and companies with open roles.

Career supportJob-readiness mentoring, bootcamps, and a paid two-month internship at Nile University for top tech-track graduates.

The campaign

Ready to compete in the job market

An Arabic-first campaign on Instagram and Facebook introduced each track, its trainers and who could apply, and drove graduates to apply online, cycle after cycle.

Employer matchmaking

Online hiring events

UX/UI Design graduates · December 2022

Five days online, 11–15 December, each led by a recruitment partner (Career180, Talents Arena, Elharefa, TechieMatter and Hired) bringing companies with open roles, among them Sprints, Babel, Wish-it, Nawy, Boyot, Dashboard, IKD, Appgain, CyberTalents and CyberTooth.

Front-End and Sales graduates · May 2023

Three days online, 24, 25 and 28 May, with partners and employers including Elharefa, Spiritude, YDS, Fosha, bosta, TechieMatter, Boyot, FastAutomate, Appgain, nawwar, easykash, Career180, Qessa and GB Auto.