Mansoura University inaugurates the 8th IT Developers Forum at the Faculty of Computers and Information

Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi, Vice President of Mansoura University for Education and Student Affairs, inaugurated the 8th IT Developers Forum (ITDS8), organized by the Faculty of Computers and Information under the patronage of Dr. Sherif Khater, President of the University. This event aligns with the University's strategy to support academic excellence, strengthen partnerships with industry, and align university graduates with labor market needs.

 The forum is one of the most prominent annual events organized by the Faculty of Computers and Information. It aims to enhance communication between students, graduates, and leading IT companies, open new horizons for training and employment, support innovation, and keep pace with the rapid developments in digital transformation and modern technologies.

 The event was attended by: Prof. Noha Heikal, Dean of the Faculty of Computers and Information; Prof. Mohamed Mahfouz El-Mogy, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Prof. Iman El-Didamouni, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; Prof. Amira Rizk, Acting Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research; department heads; Eng. Sherif Antar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Delta Association for Entrepreneurship and Information Technology and founder of GT4 Software Company; Dr. Sarah El-Metwally, Student Activities Coordinator; faculty members; representatives of major IT companies; students; and graduates.

 The following individuals also participated in the forum's scientific program: Prof. Hossam El-Din Salah Mostafa, Dean of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at Horus University; Prof. Khaled Fouad, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at New Mansoura University; Prof. Mahmoud Saafan, Professor of Computer and Systems Engineering and Director of the Information and Communication Technology Center; Prof. Abeer Tawakkol, the university's Chief Information Officer; Dr. Mona Abu El-Ezz, Executive Director of the Career Development Centers; Dr. Yousra El-Far, Executive Director of the Knowture Graduate Studies Platform and Deputy Director of the International Relations Office; Dr. Ahmed Fikry, Director of the Grants, Projects, and International Cooperation Office at the university; Dr. Tarek El-Bahy, Director of the Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Freelance Work Unit at the Career Development Centers; and Dr. Maggie El-Sayed Amer, Deputy Director of the Grants, Projects, and International Cooperation Office. They presented a number of specialized sessions and seminars covering artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, international relations, grant and research project opportunities, professional development, and labor market requirements.

 During the forum, Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi toured the scientific research exhibition, which showcased a selection of research papers published during the year in international journals ranked in the first quartile (Q1) of the Web of Science database. This reflects the excellence of the international research output of the college's faculty and researchers, and underscores its research standing and leadership in the fields of computer science and information technology.

 He also visited the graduation projects exhibition, which presented a range of innovative student projects in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, and software development. These projects demonstrated the outstanding scientific and technical level of the college's students and their ability to provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of society and keep pace with the demands of the job market.

 Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi affirmed that Mansoura University, under the leadership of Prof. Cherif Khater, bases its educational programs on the needs of the labor market and strives to produce graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ability to compete locally, regionally, and internationally. He pointed out that partnerships with industry institutions have become a cornerstone of the educational process, and that the forum represents a successful model of integration between the university and the information technology sector. It embodies the university's commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhancing students' readiness for the demands of the future.

 Prof. Noha Heikal welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that the eighth edition of the forum witnessed broad participation from major IT companies, alongside a diverse scientific program. This reflects the forum's established position as a platform that combines education, scientific research, and industry, contributing to honing the skills of students and graduates and preparing them to work with the latest technologies and the demands of the labor market.

 Eng. Sherif Antar emphasized that equipping students with practical skills and keeping pace with labor market demands are fundamental to building a competitive workforce. He noted that the forum exemplifies a successful model of collaboration between the university and the IT sector.

 The forum's activities included several specialized seminars and lectures covering the latest trends in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, software development, and other rapidly growing fields in the job market. These sessions were presented by a select group of experts, specialists, and representatives from leading companies.

 The forum also provided a platform for direct communication between students, graduates, and participating companies. This allowed them to explore training and employment opportunities, showcase required professional skills, and bridge the gap between academic study and practical application, thereby enhancing graduate employment prospects. The events included several introductory seminars on local and international grant and research project opportunities, as well as student travel and exchange programs. These seminars were held in collaboration with the Grants, Projects, and International Cooperation Office and the International Relations Office at the university. The Knowture platform was also introduced, highlighting its role in providing reliable scientific content that supports students and researchers and contributes to developing their research and academic skills.

 At the conclusion of the forum, Prof. Mohamed Attia El-Bayoumi honored the participating companies and institutions, as well as the experts and lecturers, in recognition of their contributions to the forum's success and their role in supporting the educational process and strengthening cooperation with the Faculty of Computers and Information. The honorees also included students with outstanding graduation projects, in appreciation of their innovative ideas and technological solutions, which reflect the high academic standards of the faculty's students.

 The Information Technology Developers Forum continues to solidify its position as a leading platform that connects the university and the industry sector, enhancing graduates' readiness for the job market and supporting Mansoura University's vision of building a stimulating educational and research environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, and prepares qualified professionals capable of leading the digital transformation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.