MARWA MOURAD

Marwa Mourad Ahmed is from Egypt. Marwa recognized as a fighter, independent, and adaptable. She believes in charity, purity, faith, and the power of positive words. In 2012 Marwa graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Greek and Roman, Archaeology Department, Alexandria University. Marwa's goal is to work in a multinational organization in the field of humanities, working in mega projects to help the society, regionally and globally.

"Living a Normal Life Is a Blessing"

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I am from Alexandria, Egypt. I am an archaeologist; my main interest is the Classical Archaeology. Thus, I am interested in humanities, understanding culture history, past lifeways through past human activities, changes in human societies through time. My career ambition is to become an archaeologist, who works on researches in international organizations of cultural resource management. I had my master’s degree and nowadays I am preparing for my PhD.

Currently, job opportunities for archaeologists in Egypt are not served, So I worked as a teacher for six years. For my passion, I am a Cross-fit player.

Q: What is your view of the Coronavirus crisis and the world as it is today? How do you define the concept of a better world especially given the hard lessons we have taken from this unprecedented crisis?

I used to take a lot of the good things which happen to me for granted, I didn’t know that living a normal life is a blessing. I am grateful for being safe and healthy. Now I know that we have to take care of ourselves and the others; something happened in China affected me in Egypt and the whole world. There are guardians who fight to keep us safe, and we have to help them with all the ways we can.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently and how do you think CoVid-19 will affect your country?

A lot of places are closed, many people are jobless nowadays. This will affect the economy and the safety of society.

Q: As a young individual what are a few of the hurdles that you had to overcome up until today?

For the current situation, I lost my job, I had to work on my research from home without going out since March. Being in charge of my family while my dad and mom are stuck in another country.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

I am talented at being a leader or in charge, but I believe that leadership skills should be developed by some study and knowledge through coaching or mentoring. I believe that support programs that help build women’s self-confidence, develop their negotiating and network-building skills, and identify sources of information and support are very important.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?

I have to be pleased for all the good things I have, especially for being safe and healthy as I used to take these for granted, but also I have to work hard to reach my targets and to become a better version of myself.

We have to try, we have to put the effort. We are tempted, and there will be struggling, and we have our ups and downs. We have just to try to be a good version of ourselves.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Dr Mervat Seif- Eldine and Dr Emad Khalil both are very helpful and supportive professors in the field of archaeology.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

Women in Egypt need business development services to help women launch their new businesses and create new jobs. They also need skills enhancement and skills development and teacher training courses, to have job offers or to be able to work in their fields. Empowering women and integrating them as active participants in the economy is essential to promoting economic growth in any country.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

Always remember “be kind, be fair, be honest, and be true” and all of these things will come back to you.  

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about?

Internship and experience exchange in the different field especially in humanities.