Egypt University of Informatics Marks World Telecom Day; Highlights EGP 7.4B Digital Exports and AI Future
The Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, observed annually on May 17. The day commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1865, an event the United Nations has celebrated annually since 1969 to emphasize the expanding role of telecommunications and information technology in driving socioeconomic development.
Dr. Ahmed Hamad, Acting President of Egypt University of Informatics, stated that Egypt possesses a robust telecommunications and information technology infrastructure that positions it to act as a vital regional hub for digital industries and services. He highlighted Egypt's strategic geographical location, advanced infrastructure, and the passage of more than 20 submarine cables through its territory, which connect communication and internet services between East and West.
Hamad added that the telecommunications sector has become a primary pillar for societal progress and business development, noting that digital technology has transformed the world into an interconnected global village. He explained that telecommunications improve operational efficiency by enabling the rapid and accurate exchange of data and ideas, alongside enhancing social awareness, facilitating crisis management, and advancing education by enabling knowledge exchange and skill development.
He pointed out that telecommunications generate job opportunities for thousands of young men and women while supporting service exports that boost state foreign currency revenues. He emphasized that the Egyptian market hosts major global telecommunications corporations, which operate dedicated information technology centers alongside providing telecom services.
The Acting President of EUI revealed that Egypt's digital exports exceeded $7.4 billion during 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, reflecting the sector's expanding capacity to support the national economy and enhance regional and international competitiveness.
Hamad confirmed that EUI established a specialized Communications Engineering program within its Faculty of Engineering, alongside computer science specializations, to prepare a new generation of cadres and experts. This step stems from the university's belief in the importance of this discipline in supporting the national economy and attracting further local, Arab, and foreign investments.
He added that maximizing Egypt's utilization of its technological infrastructure requires deploying Artificial Intelligence techniques to increase the added value of the telecom and business technology sector. He noted that EUI actively addresses this through academic and applied programs designed to train cadres capable of keeping pace with global digital transformations.
Conversely, Hamad warned of the growing phenomenon of smartphone addiction and the excessive use of social media networks among teenagers and youth, alongside the risks of sports betting. He stressed that these trends require direct intervention from families and civil society organizations to study their root causes and propose effective countermeasures.
He stated that EUI is fully prepared to cooperate in research studies and initiatives aimed at combating these phenomena, aligning with government movements, parliamentary efforts, and political parties to mitigate risks threatening youth potential.
Hamad called on young people to engage heavily in the state's digital initiatives, spearheaded by the "Digital Egypt Generations" initiative, in which the university participates. The initiative aims to prepare generations of programmers and experts in AI, cybersecurity, electronic gaming industries, and big data engineering. He concluded that these initiatives provide a vital opportunity to absorb youth energy and ambitions, directing them toward constructive fields that develop their skills and enable them to transform their ideas into real corporate projects and national economic returns.
