Google Student Ambassador Program in MENA
December 6th, 2011 | Published in Google Student Blog
For the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in the middle of New Cairo’s desert and summer heat, over 20 Googlers have come together from all around the world to meet, greet and train a select group of young people from the region. This is the one-week Google Student Ambassador (GSA) training in Cairo, our biggest university event so far.
Earlier in the summer, we launched the GSA program. We received almost 900 applicants and selected 72 of them to represent their universities for one academic year. GSAs serve as conduits between our offices and university campuses all over the world. After orientation, each GSA returns to campus to plan social and networking events, hold tech-talks about various study and Google related topics, distribute Google goodies, launch awareness sessions to spread knowledge about Google’s latest tools, products and technologies and finally to encourage their classmates to learn more about Google’s various university programs.
The jam-packed agenda for our training in Cairo revolved around five themes:
Posted by Noha Salem, University Programs Specialist, MENA
Earlier in the summer, we launched the GSA program. We received almost 900 applicants and selected 72 of them to represent their universities for one academic year. GSAs serve as conduits between our offices and university campuses all over the world. After orientation, each GSA returns to campus to plan social and networking events, hold tech-talks about various study and Google related topics, distribute Google goodies, launch awareness sessions to spread knowledge about Google’s latest tools, products and technologies and finally to encourage their classmates to learn more about Google’s various university programs.
The jam-packed agenda for our training in Cairo revolved around five themes:
- “First Dip” day—GSAs learned more about Google as a company. For example, how search works, how Google makes money, and Google’s efforts in the MENA region. We also went over what being a GSA is all about.
- “Take a Deep Breath” day—GSAs learned about specific tools for two different tracks. We ran a search and monetization workshop for business students and a web technologies workshop for engineering and computer science students. All the GSAs also learned how to write a CV and attended an internship panel where they heard from and were able to ask questions to Google’s Egyptian interns.
- “Efficient and Effective” day—Four hours of Google Apps training run by the Egyptian Google Apps partners, plus a module on leadership and effective communication skills.
- “Shine Like a Star” day—How to deliver a charismatic presentation, how to talk to the media, creative thinking techniques and project, event and budget management skills. The day capped off with a simulation of an on-campus event so GSAs could get hands-on practice.
- “Graduation Day”—Discussions about the value of volunteering and helping communities and colleagues. We also reviewed the best practices of internet activity, like safe browsing, cyber security and ensuring data privacy. At the end of the day, everyone graduated with honors (and a bag of Google goodies)!
Posted by Noha Salem, University Programs Specialist, MENA