Under the generous patronage of H.E. Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Interactive Scientific Forum for Building Youth Capacities was launched under the theme: “Supporting Renewable-Energy Startups.”
The Forum was organized by ALECSO, in collaboration with the Electronics Research Institute and the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, on May 10–11, 2026 at the Institute’s headquarters in Cairo.
The Forum aims to build the capacities of university youth, by helping them develop entrepreneurial projects and offering them opportunities to present startup ideas in the field of renewable energy, which can later be transformed into pioneering stand-alone projects. The initiative also seeks to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses, connect participants with innovation incubators and business accelerators, and strengthen prospects for cooperation and partnership among (public and private) academic, research, and industrial institutions, as well as financing institutions that support startups.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of Science and Scientific Research at ALECSO, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, to all participants, and reaffirmed ALECSO’s commitment to empowering creative and innovative Arab youth. He stressed that organizing this Forum forms part of ALECSO’s ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of the Arab Strategy for Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation, which seeks to advance scientific research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the Arab region. He noted that the Strategy constitutes one of the key references guiding the work of the Department of Science and Scientific Research.
Dr. Abu Darwish also emphasized that the Forum further reinforces the recognition earned by the Electronics Research Institute through its inclusion in ALECSO’s List of Arab Scientific Research Centers, announced in 2025, in appreciation of the Institute’s significant contributions to the advancement of scientific research in renewable energy.
For her part, Dr. Sherine Moharram, President of the Electronics Research Institute, stressed that investing in innovation and youth is a key pillar for building a knowledge- and technology-based economy. She underlined the Institute’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for applied scientific research and entrepreneurship, while highlighting ALECSO’s pivotal role in connecting scientific and research institutions across the Arab world, enhancing opportunities for the exchange of expertise, and fostering strategic partnerships that contribute to the integration of capabilities within a common Arab framework.
The statement of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture was delivered by Dr. Rami Magdy, Assistant Secretary-General for ALECSO and UNESCO Affairs, on behalf of Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Supervisor of the Egyptian National Commission. The representative of the Commission highlighted the significant efforts undertaken by Egypt and other Arab countries to provide an enabling and motivating environment that enhances the chances of success for startups and supports youth’s entrepreneurial projects.
The two-day Forum featured scientific sessions, interactive workshops, and presentations of renewable-energy startup projects by young innovators and researchers from several Egyptian universities.
The event brought together relevant experts as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, business incubators and accelerators, and scientific research institutions and centers from across the Arab world.
