The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt, in collaboration with an international coalition comprising the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), has officially launched the “1 Million Qualified Innovators” initiative. This initiative serves as a key implementation mechanism of Egypt’s national presidential programme “Alliance and Development,” aiming to equip one million young people with future skills and connect them to meaningful employment opportunities.

This landmark initiative provides access to high-quality training for Egyptian youth and learners. By leveraging the Future Skills Academy, a flagship programme of the Knowledge Project, the initiative offers specialized learning pathways that link innovation with labour market needs - a critical response to the accelerating pace of global change and increasing digitalization.

The launch event, held in Cairo on 28 April 2025, convened government leaders, international partners, and youth representatives to celebrate this ambitious step toward building a new generation of 1 million qualified innovators.

The “1 Million Qualified Innovators” initiative builds on the success of the Future Skills Academy, which has already supported nearly 10,000 learners across the Arab States, delivering over 115,000 learning hours. With engagement and completion rates that exceed global benchmarks, the Academy reflects the region’s strong appetite for self-development and digital learning.

ICESCO and the Knowledge Project envision “1 Million Qualified Innovators” as a cornerstone for regional cooperation on future skills development, anchored in scalable digital platforms, cutting-edge content, and strong public-private partnerships.

With the platform now active, learners from across Egypt can embark on their journey toward promising, future-ready careers, transforming the vision of 1 million qualified innovators into a shared reality across the region.