ITIDA Signs Cooperation Protocol With DXC Technology to Launch the ITIDA-DXC Program in Egypt

Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) and DXC Technology, a global IT services and consulting company, to launch the ITIDA-DXC Dandelion program in Egypt. This program aims to qualify individuals with neurodiverse disorders, including final-year students and graduates, by providing training opportunities in various technological specializations, assisting with employment, and preparing them for integration into the ICT sector.
Training and Development
The agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and Eng. Nevin Galal, Chairperson of DXC Technology in Egypt, in the presence of Eng. Hisham Fayad, DXC's Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa, along with several leaders from the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Social Solidarity, and representatives from the global company.
The program aims to train and develop more than 60 young men and women with various neurological disorders, specifically those with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and dyslexia, aged between 18 and 30. The two-year program, starting from the program's commencement date, will focus on developing personal skills and providing training in various technological disciplines, including artificial intelligence, software testing, data analysis, and infrastructure monitoring. It will also offer professional support through specialized inclusion consulting teams, enhancing their ability to integrate professionally into the workplace. The program is scheduled to officially launch in March, with actual training beginning before the middle of next year.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and Eng. Nevin Galal, Chairperson of DXC Technology in Egypt, in the presence of Eng. Hisham Fayad, DXC's Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa, and several leaders from the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology and Social Solidarity, as well as representatives from the global company. 

Building a Digital Egypt

Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, affirmed that launching the program in Egypt, in partnership between ITIDA and DXC Global, comes within the framework of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's commitment to implementing its strategy for building a digital Egypt. A key objective of this strategy is to build the digital capabilities of various segments of society, empower citizens to access quality job opportunities in the digital economy, and adopt mechanisms that ensure the effective participation of all citizens in Egypt's digital transformation. He noted that the success of the communications and information technology sector hinges on leveraging technology to serve society and achieve developmental impact.

Dr. Amr Talaat highlighted the program's developmental dimension, which provides opportunities to train and empower individuals with various neurological disorders, helping them secure employment in several IT specializations and harnessing their unique talents and skills to achieve excellence in their fields.
Enhancing the Competitiveness of Egyptian Talent
Dr. Amr Talaat commended the cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, which contributed its expertise to ensure the program's optimal implementation. He pointed out that implementing the program in Egypt represents a new step supporting the state's direction towards building an inclusive digital society and providing equal opportunities for all segments of society, thus enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian talent in the labor market.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology added that the program aims to provide training in advanced technological specializations, contributing to building a base of qualified human resources for the future. This supports the Ministry's vision of empowering all citizens to contribute effectively to building a digital Egypt.
Productive Force
Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, affirmed that the Ministry believes innovation is the broadest path towards full inclusion and independence. She stated that the digital economy opens new avenues for young people to become an active productive force and creators of opportunities, not recipients of them. She added that empowering this group in the labor market is no longer an option, but an economic and social necessity. She emphasized that work is an inherent right and a means of integration, creating financial independence, enhancing community participation, and ensuring the state truly benefits from the energies and capabilities of its citizens.
Dr. Maya Morsy noted that the Ministry of Social Solidarity was honored to provide technical support for the proposal to launch the DXC Dandelion program in Egypt, ensuring participant readiness and high-quality implementation. This support is based on the Ministry's accumulated expertise in rehabilitation, diagnosis, and psychosocial support. She commended the institutional integration between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, emphasizing that this collaboration reflects the state's vision of building a national system that supports inclusive employment.
Unified Training Portal
In this context, she highlighted the importance of the national "Ta'heel" platform as a unified portal for inclusive training and employment, and a fundamental infrastructure for integrating programs like DXC Dandelion into formal career paths, thus ensuring sustainability and expanding access.
The Minister of Social Solidarity added that the DXC Dandelion program is a leading global model for empowering neurodiverse youth in the technology sector, particularly through specialized technical and vocational training, on-site supervision by job coaches, and psychosocial support for trainees and their families.

It is worth noting that the DXC Dandelion program is one of the world's leading programs in supporting and empowering individuals with various neurological disorders in the field of information technology. Egypt is the first country in the Middle East and Africa to launch this program.
Developing the IT Sector
For his part, Eng. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), said: "We are delighted to collaborate with DXC to launch the ITIDA-DXC Dandelion program in Egypt. This comes within the framework of ITIDA's role in supporting the development of the IT sector and fostering digital skills, particularly by promoting initiatives with a real social impact. Through this program, we are working to create equal opportunities, expand the pool of professional skills in the digital economy, and build a qualified workforce that meets market needs, thus strengthening Egypt's position as a global hub for the outsourcing and cross-border services industry."
The DXC Dandelion program was first launched in Australia in 2014 and has achieved success in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and the Philippines.
Securing Employment Opportunities
The program has helped over 350 people worldwide secure employment opportunities and has garnered more than 25 international awards in recognition of its innovation and societal impact.
Engineer Nevin Galal, Chairperson of DXC Technology in Egypt, stated: “Individuals with various neurological disorders possess unique abilities such as attention to detail and the capacity for analytical and creative thinking—skills highly sought after in software testing and data analysis. Through the ITIDA-DXC Dandelion program, we strive to provide a positive work environment, offer appropriate training and support, and empower individuals with various neurological disorders to utilize their abilities to their fullest potential, while simultaneously contributing to bridging the skills gap in the IT sector.”
It is worth noting that DXC Technology is a Fortune 500 company and operates a regional outsourcing center from Egypt serving more than 20 clients in the Middle East, the UK and Europe, with more than 600 specialists, and a plan to expand to 1,000 employees by 2027.

Source: Press Release