The event, held on February 25, 2025, showcased the school’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring graduates are prepared to excel in a rapidly changing job market. The event was attended by 33 participants, including 12 senior representatives from nine of the school’s top employers, as well as faculty, staff and student representatives.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The roundtable provided a platform for collaboration and open dialogue, focusing on how universities and employers can work together to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving labor market. 

Sherif Kamel, dean of Onsi Sawiris School of Business, opened the session by emphasizing the school’s commitment to aligning education with industry demands. Highlighting initiatives like the Co-op Program and Doing Business in Africa and the Middle East (DBiME), he noted how these programs provide valuable real-world experience for students, making them highly competitive in the job market.

“By bringing business into the classroom, we ensure our graduates are not just academically proficient but also ready to lead and adapt to the demands of a fast-changing world,” said dean Kamel.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Industry representatives shared valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in today’s workplace. 

Ahmed Nabil, HR senior manager at Orange Egypt, highlighted the transformative role of Gen-Z in the workforce, saying, “We expect Gen-Z to be transformers. They bring energy, innovation and passion, but it’s essential to guide them to balance their creativity with discipline and accountability.”

Similarly, Mostafa El Sharkawy, head of organization development at Banque Misr, noted how digital transformation is shaping workforce demands. “In our digital factory, Gen-Z employees are delivering exceptional results. Their tech-savviness and energy are driving innovation, but structured guidance is key to maximizing their potential,” he explained.

Leaders also pointed out that while younger employees bring fresh ideas, they often require support in developing deeper workplace competencies, such as resilience, financial acumen and cross-generational collaboration skills. These insights reaffirmed the importance of the school’s initiatives to provide students with hands-on exposure to real business environments.

Collaborating to Close the Skills Gap

The discussions underscored the importance of addressing critical skill gaps in areas like financial literacy, market awareness and responsible use of AI. Industry leaders emphasized that graduates need to balance technical expertise with foundational skills like problem-solving and adaptability.

“I expect that in a few years, all our employees will be using generative AI. It has to be part of the students’ core studies. I believe that those who will succeed are those who can effectively and efficiently use AI,” said Ahmed Nabil, HR senior manager at Orange Egypt.

Additionally, programs like the Co-op Program, which immerses students in real-world roles and case studies co-developed with businesses, were highlighted as effective methods for closing this gap. Employers expressed their enthusiasm for continuing collaboration with the school to ensure students are well-equipped for the challenges of the future.

As Nabil Diab, partner and COO at PricewaterhouseCoopers said, “Gen-Z brings a fresh perspective to the workplace. Their energy and ideas are invaluable, but nurturing these qualities alongside traditional skills is essential to ensure long-term success.”

A Path Forward

The Top Employers Roundtable 2025 concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening academia-industry partnerships. The school invited corporate leaders to remain actively engaged through mentorship programs, job shadowing opportunities and tailored workshops to prepare students for the demands of modern business environments.

The event served as a testament to Onsi Sawiris School of Business’s dedication to producing future-ready graduates who not only meet but exceed the expectations of employers. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the school continues to lead the way in transforming business education and shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

GNAM connects leading business schools from six continents, fostering global collaboration, innovation and excellence in management education. This membership highlights the school’s commitment to preparing future leaders and addressing global challenges through education, research, and community engagement.

Global Opportunities for Students and Faculty

Through its GNAM membership, Onsi Sawiris School of Business will gain access to:

• Global Network Weeks: Immersive, short-term study opportunities at leading member institutions worldwide.
• Collaborative Research: Partnerships with leading global scholars to tackle critical business and societal issues.
• Shared Resources: Access to online courses, teaching materials, and best practices to enrich learning experiences.

These opportunities will broaden the school’s global reach and enhance its ability to offer students and faculty an enriched, world-class education.

Leadership Perspectives

Sherif Kamel, Dean of Onsi Sawiris School of Business, expressed his pride in this achievement: “We are delighted to join the Global Network for Advanced Management, a consortium of the most distinguished business schools worldwide. This membership reflects the school’s dedication to excellence in education, research, and community engagement. It also aligns with our mission to prepare future leaders who can drive innovation and address global challenges. We look forward to contributing to the network’s initiatives and enriching the learning experience for our students, faculty, and partners.”

A Legacy of Excellence

For nearly 80 years, Onsi Sawiris School of Business has been a leader in business education. The school is known for its innovative teaching, impactful research, and initiatives that tackle real-world challenges. Its six specialized research centers, startup incubator, and business and economy publication further its mission to advance knowledge, promote responsible business, and drive economic growth.

A Welcome Addition to GNAM

GNAM leadership welcomed the school, emphasizing the value of its regional expertise and perspectives. This membership expands GNAM’s reach into the Middle East, furthering its mission to connect diverse voices and ideas in management education.

"We are delighted to welcome Onsi Sawiris School of Business to the Global Network. Their inclusion marks a significant step in expanding the network's reach to the Middle East and North Africa and further enriches the diversity of perspectives and expertise within our network," said Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT Berlin and chair of the GNAM steering committee. " Onsi Sawiris School of Business brings a strong tradition of academic excellence, innovative research, and a deep commitment to addressing regional and global business challenges. We look forward to the valuable contributions they will make and the collaborative opportunities that will arise from this partnership."

Strengthening Global Collaboration

This membership marks a pivotal moment for Onsi Sawiris School of Business as it expands its global footprint and strengthens its presence in the international academic community. By joining GNAM, the school takes an important step in advancing collaborations that will shape the future of business education and drive solutions to address regional and global challenges.

For more information about Onsi Sawiris School of Business and its membership in GNAM, visit Onsi Sawiris School of Business website.

What makes the Onsi Sawiris School of Business a truly remarkable community is its commitment to uplift its members from faculty, staff, students and alumni. On February 27, 2025, the school celebrated the Fall 2024 Recognition of Excellence Ceremony (REC), honoring the hard work, resilience and commitment of faculty, staff, alumni and the top 10 percent of the graduating class of the Fall 2024 semester.

Honoring Excellence

Held in Moataz Al Alfi Hall at The American University in Cairo, REC welcomed over 200 attendees, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and friends of the school. During the event, 29 students from the graduating class of Fall 2024 and six faculty, staff and alumni were recognized for their exceptional contributions and accomplishments.

The awards reflect the school’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its mission to cultivate leaders who drive meaningful change.

“With over 12,000 alumni, our focus remains on creating impact—through students who go out into the world and make a difference in society,” said Dean Sherif Kamel, highlighting the importance of creating a community of leaders capable of making a lasting impact.

An Inspiration for the Future

The Recognition of Excellence Ceremony is not only a celebration of present successes but also an opportunity to inspire the future. The event brought together notable alumni, faculty and students, offering a platform to share wisdom, guidance, encouragement and hope for the next generation of leaders.

“Your attitude and behavior matter far more than the knowledge you currently have. As you acquire knowledge, be sure to share it and pass it on—because your attitude ultimately shapes your future,” emphasized Ayman Soliman, managing partner at Morpho Investments and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Fall 2024 REC celebrated yet another milestone in the legacy of the Onsi Sawiris School of Business. This was the first honors ceremony held after the naming of the school and marked the beginning of a new chapter of accomplishments. 

As the school continues to nurture a culture of excellence, we extend our congratulations to all the awardees of Fall 2024 REC and look forward to celebrating future successes.

Fall 2024 REC Awardees

Distinguished Faculty Appreciation Award

Tarek Hatem

Management Excellence Award

Lina Nada

Staff Excellence Award

Yasmine Abdel Shafy

Omar Mohsen Memorial Award

Kenzy Sherif Gabr

Student Academic Association Award

Business Association

Distinguished Alumni Award

Ayman Soliman
 

Top 10 Percent Students of the Class of Fall 2024

Master of Arts in Economics

Mariam Mahmoud Sabry Abdelwahab Elgarf

Master of Arts in Economics in International Development

Ahmed Magdi Ahmed Abdelrassoul

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Badr Yasser Mohsen Abdelhamid

Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)

Aiman Omar Mahmoud Abbas

Ehab Salah AbdelRasoul Aly Gomaa

Ahmed Ezz Samir Shawky ElRefai

Master’s in International Management (CEMS)

Nada Nabil Nazmy Moussa

Master of Science in Finance

Farah Medhat Mohamed Mohamed Elnady

Nourhan Medhat Farouk Abdelsalam ElRouby

Bachelor of Accounting

Abdalla Mohamed Helmy Ahmed

Fady Medhat Nagi Ghali

Farah Amin Mohamed Abdelrahman

Yehia Tamer Tawfik Zaghloul Mourad

Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship

Hazem Tamer Tageldin Gouda

Youssef Ihab Mohamed Abdellatif Nada

Bachelor of Business in Finance

Yosra Naser Mohamed Abdelbary Elegeizy

Laila Mohyeldeen Attia Hassan Saleh

Malak Mustafa Mahmoud Hatem

Bachelor of Business in Marketing

Dina Hazem Morsi Abdelhafez Morsi

Farah Tarek Elsayed Moustafa Hakam

Karim Bassem Samir Shafik

Zayan Ahmad Azmi Taybah

Bachelor of Business Administration in Management of Information and Communication Technology

Hana Tarek Mohamed Abdelmonime Mohamed Eissa

Hala Tarek Mohamed Abdelmonime Mohamed Eissa

Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Moheb Anwar Tawfik

Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Alia Wael Gamaleldin Aly Genady

Naceur Salah Eddine Boulenouar

Seifalla Mohamed Shaker Fahmy Khalil