On Sunday (7/9/2014), the training program in literacy and basic skills for volunteers opened at the Public Service Center. Held under the auspices of Prof. Khaled Hamza, Acting President of Fayoum University, the event was inaugurated by Prof. Farid Awad Hedar, Vice President for Community Service and Environment Development. The program was co-organized by the Fayoum University's Public Service Center and the General Authority for Literacy and Adult Education– Fayoum Branch (GALAE).   The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Selim, director of Public Service Center, Mr. Ragab Farouk, Mr. Ashraf Al-Agmawy, from the GALAE, Mr. Nady Gaber, director of office of Vice President for Community Service, Mr. Mohammed Ali, director of Conference and Communications Department at the Community Service Sector. A number of students were present, too.   In his remarks, Prof. Farid Awad Hedar welcomed the audience and confirmed that illiteracy is one of the pressing problems in Egypt, urging all those who are concerned to collaborate to eliminate this problem.   "This forum is a starting point towards improving literacy and basic skills of university workers through the Public Service Center", he added.   He concluded his remarks with extending thanks to the director of the Public Service Center, its staff, GALAE community and volunteers.   Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mr. Ragab Farouk, a director at the GALAE, said that the GALAE would issue certificates of success to all those who could pass the literacy training and would recruit volunteer students for a fixed amount of money as agreed between the University and GALAE.