ADVANCE Society Signs Strategic Partnership with ITIDA to Launch Egypt’s 1st National Program for Qualifying, Employing Neurodiverse Youth in ICT Sector

In a landmark step toward the economic empowerment and professional inclusion of neurodiverse individuals, the Egyptian Advance Society for Persons with Autism & Othet Developmental Disabilities (ADVANCE) announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). The agreement aims to implement the ITIDA–DXC Dandelion Program in collaboration with DXC Technology, with the goal of preparing and qualifying neurodiverse youth for specialized jobs in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.

The agreement was signed by Ms. Maha Helali, Founder and Chair of the ADVANCE Society, and Eng. Ahmed El-Taher, CEO of ITIDA. This partnership brings together government, the private sector, and civil society to launch the Egyptian version of the DXC Dandelion Program—one of the world’s most successful models for qualifying and employing neurodiverse individuals in the technology sector.

The selection of ADVANCE Society as the program’s technical and clinical partner recognizes its more than 25 years of experience in autism, neurodiversity, and disability. The association is a leading institution in Egypt and the Arab region supporting inclusion, empowerment, and independence across all life stages through assessment, rehabilitation, capacity building, training, employment, independent living, and digital transformation, as well as its role in developing national policies that support persons with disabilities.

The DXC Dandelion Program is a pioneering global model that was first launched in Australia and has since expanded to several countries. It has successfully integrated hundreds of neurodiverse individuals into specialized roles at major technology companies, achieving high rates of employee retention, productivity, and job satisfaction—demonstrating that neurodiversity represents real added value to the labor market and the economy.

The first phase of the program in Egypt targets 60 young men and women aged 18 to 30 with autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other forms of neurodiversity. Participants will receive a free nine-month training program that combines technical training, professional and life skills development, and workplace readiness, qualifying them for roles in software testing, data analysis, and other ICT fields.

Under this partnership, ITIDA will provide overall supervision of the program’s implementation, DXC Technology will contribute its global expertise in applying the Dandelion methodology and technical training, while ADVANCE Society will deliver technical and clinical support, community awareness, initial candidate screening, specialized supervision, and ongoing participant follow-up—ensuring a training and work environment that accommodates their needs and enhances their success and sustainable integration into the labor market.

Ms. Maha Helali emphasized that this partnership marks an important milestone in the association’s efforts to expand economic empowerment opportunities for neurodiverse individuals. She stated: “For more than 25 years, ADVANCE Society has built an integrated support system for individuals with autism and neurodiversity and their families—from early assessment and intervention, through education and capacity building, to independence and employment. Today, we are proud to be part of this pioneering national program, which shifts the focus from disability to ability, from care to empowerment, and from training to building real career paths in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Egyptian economy.”

She added that the program embodies the society’s vision that neurodiversity is a source of excellence and innovation, and that providing the right environment and specialized support enables young people to unlock their potential and contribute effectively to the labor market and the national economy.

For his part, Eng. Ahmed El-Taher, CEO of ITIDA, affirmed that the program reflects the agency’s commitment to developing Egyptian digital talent, promoting diversity in the communications and information technology sector, and building effective partnerships with the private sector and civil society to prepare qualified professionals who meet labor market needs.

This collaboration represents a comprehensive model of partnership between government, the private sector, and civil society. ITIDA, DXC Technology, and ADVANCE Society are combining their expertise and resources to deliver a scalable national model that promotes inclusive employment and supports Egypt Vision 2030 goals in digital transformation, human development, economic empowerment, and building a more inclusive society.

The ADVANCE Society invites eligible youth, their families, universities, disability support units, and professionals in mental health and rehabilitation to learn about the program and share this opportunity with potential beneficiaries, helping to open new horizons for neurodiverse youth to participate actively in the digital economy.