biography

my name is Atef Mohsen, 35 years old. I graduated from Abbas El Akaad language school which I have finished with a score of 94% (A+). This allowed me to achieve my dream and enter the Faculty of Fine Arts to be an architect. Since I was a student, I've been planning to gain experience from working with different architectural design studios. I've worked hard at college and got the 7^th rank in my class. I was among the top three students in architectural design, according to the evaluation of our professors.

During college years, I was honored to be chosen to represent my country and my college in an international workshop of architecture that was held in Turin, Italy in the summer of 2004. The competition was for students form Mediterranean courtiers and was organized by the Union of Mediterranean Architects (UMAR).

After graduation, I applied for - and obtained - a scholarship from The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to gain knowledge on software programs that would support my career.

I was one of 500 students who have been chosen from 5500 students of elite Egyptian graduates who have applied to have this scholarship. The study was in IT application and we studied at the prestigious Information Technology Institute (ITI) after passing through many tests, like IQ and personal interviews. This scholarship opened a great window for me in computer technologies and we all benefited from having a concentrated soft skills program featuring the skills of leadership, planning, presentation skills, business writing and business etiquette.

My biggest influence through my years of studying and professional work in the field has been my father. He is a self-made man, an architect who owns a contracting company that's specialized in the marble and granite industry, namely Hidilco. I've worked, and still work, with my father and this has gained me a lot of knowledge in the field of architectural application in the field of contracting. My current position is Vice Chairman. I didn't pause there, though; I recently established my own architectural design studio with young talented architects, namely Arkan Studio. In our work, we aim to spread green architecture and the concept of sustainability through presenting well studied designs.

I've learned that practice and persistence always make you better and I realized how important team work is through being a basketball and taekwondo player.

In college, I had other kinds of activities. They mainly revolved around leadership; as I was honored to be representing my colleagues as the leader of my class for all five years of study. During that phase, I also participated in the 10th International student Leadership Conference (ISLC) in the American University in Cairo (AUC). I also took part at the organization committee for two architectural conferences: "Toward new architectural innovation: 2003" and "Fine Arts Education and globalization: 2004". My participation to these conferences has helped me develop my personal skills of leadership as well as, of course, my communication skills.

I have also participated in the second International youth entrepreneurship congress in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2009. It was a great opportunity to get acquainted with young entrepreneurs from many countries and learning a lot about entrepreneurship from businessmen who were giving us their advice and discussing with us how to reach success.

I am a junior member of the Arab real estate development union (AURD). Since I joined, I have been an active member always trying to make contributes for the union. I have designed a primary master plan for a residential community in Iraq helping the people of Iraq to find a proper place to live in. There is also the other side of my activities; I am a member of El Lakta El Wahda Artist community; fulfilling my creativity skills and hobbies.

I have been involved in psychosocial support to the civilian victims of Gaza war 2009 with Arab Medical union.

I was a member of the executive office of the central secretariat of the Youth in El-Wasat Party, I was  responsible for  Grassroots and field work , I was also a member in the central Election Committee, I am trying to participate in my country reform toward prosperity and freedom by being an active member in the community.

In 2011 I have initiated a fundraising campaign to help People of Somalia by the name '' youth for Somalia '' in cooperation with Arab Medical union - Relief Committee and Emergency – to those who are suffering from hanger and diseases.

In 2012 I have been chosen with 5 other Egyptian youth leaders to participate in MENA Leadership program organized by Japan Foundation in Tokyo under the theme “Leadership in Building community and nation” for my role in civil and relief activities.

In 2014 I have participated in a workshop organized by the UNDP (united nation development programme in Egypt) in cooperation with Fablab Egypt and Gesr (masr el-khair foundation) under the name of "design for integrated living" with persons with disabilities helping them  finding solutions for challenges they faces every day.

in 2015  I was selected as a fellow in The Game Changer Fellowship by UNDP Egypt for desiging a game that help people with disabilities.