The team of the University Center for Professional Development at Damietta University participated in the activities of the Career Rehabilitation Conference under the title “The National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research,” which was organized by the University Centers for Professional Development Project, in the presence of Professor Dr. Mohamad Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Professor Dr. Ahmed Dalal, President of the American University. In Cairo, Professor Dr. Tarek Shawky, former Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mr. Wick Powers, Director of the Office of Education and Health at the United States Agency for International Development in Egypt, Professor Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning, Training, and Qualification for the Labor Market, a group of Egyptian university presidents, and a number of higher education and vocational guidance experts in Egypt and the world. In his speech, Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of university centers for professional development in linking the outcomes of higher education to the needs of the labor market, noting that the Ministry pays great attention to developing these centers and enhancing their role in serving students and graduates, as the Executive Council for University Centers for Professional Development has been formed; With the aim of providing support to students and graduates and improving their skills to keep pace with the requirements of the labor market, and reducing unemployment rates among university graduates, in addition to meeting the needs of the state in accordance with its vision for sustainable development 2030, and the requirements of the new republic, by paying attention to the academic, professional and creative path of students. The Minister explained that this conference is an important event in the process of developing higher education in Egypt, and an important step towards enhancing job opportunities for graduates of Egyptian universities, and achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, as it provides a fruitful platform for exchanging expertise and experiences between various university centers for professional development, which It contributes to enhancing its capabilities and raising the efficiency of its performance in serving students and graduates, noting that Egypt, under the leadership of President Abd Al Fattah El-Sisi, has paid great attention to developing the higher education system, in order to keep it in line with the requirements of the times and the needs of the labor market, pointing out that the establishment of university centers for professional development comes within the framework of this. Orientation, believing in the importance of its role in preparing qualified graduates capable of competing in various fields. The University Center for Professional Development team had the opportunity to network and learn from the success stories of 37 UCCD centers from 26 different Egyptian universities. It is worth noting that, over the course of the three days during which the conference was held, and in the presence of directors and employment teams at various Egyptian universities, sessions and workshops were held to come up with a future vision for the role of employment centers in line with the presidential mandates and the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, as part of the conclusion of a series of meetings initiated by the Ministry of Education. Higher education and scientific research, with the formation of the Executive Council for Employment Centers, under the umbrella of the presidential initiative “Alliance and Development” launched by the Ministry, through which the extent of the achievement made by the Ministry in managing the Employment Centers Project, which the American University in Cairo is establishing in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, was

monitored. Higher education and scientific research, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Egypt,

The team of the University Center for Professional Development at Damietta University participated in several workshops entitled:

# Ai future learning

# Sustainable centers

# Digital transformation in higher education

# Career planning

# Establishing and cultivation relationships with employers

# Integrating people with disabilities in workplace

The center’s members participated in various workshops and shared their experiences and visions with the various centers across the country. These workshops ended with recommendations that were presented to the Executive Council, and can be summarized in the following points: Providing a comprehensive database with information about graduates, their skills and needs, developing evaluation programs. To measure the effectiveness of job qualification programs, monitor developments in the labor market and update job qualification programs accordingly, sustain employment centers and unify their administrative system, issue a financial and administrative regulation and establish a unified administrative structure approved by the Supreme Council of Universities. The University Center for Career Development team extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally, President of Damietta University, for his great and continuous support for the Center at the University. Thanks are also extended to all officials at the UCCD Career Development Centers for their wonderful efforts and dedication in organizing this event and leading many activities. It was also a great honor for us to communicate with the inspiring UCCD leaders, Ms. Maha Fakhry Moussa, Ms. Maha Jundi, Ms. Wafa Bakhit, our trainer, Dalia Awad, the project manager, Ms. Amir Rushdi, and Ms. Ghada Habashi.