The Minister of Education Witnesses the Launch of the First Programming and Artificial Intelligence Training
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, witnessed the first specialized training in programming and artificial intelligence, targeting computer teachers, supervisors, subject advisors, and the technology development team (Development Ambassadors). This training is part of the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and Japan.
The event was attended by Yashiro Tsukamoto, Deputy Head of the Japanese Embassy in Egypt; Kawashima Shozuki, Cultural Attaché; Miki Sakata, General Manager of the "Sprex" Foundation in Egypt; Dr. Hanem Ahmed, Advisor to the Minister for International Cooperation and Agreements; Dr. Hala Abdel Salam, Head of the Central Administration for General Education; and Mr. Walid El-Fakharany, Head of the Central Administration for Educational Technology.
During his meeting with the trainees, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, emphasized that this step comes in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to keep pace with the latest developments in programming and artificial intelligence technology and make them available to students in line with international standards.
The Minister explained that programming, information technology, and artificial intelligence are not merely separate disciplines, but have now become an interconnected system that forms the foundation for progress in all fields. He emphasized the necessity of mastering the basic rules for learning programming, emphasizing that the Ministry is providing mechanisms and opportunities for our students.
The Minister said, "Today, we are faced with a proven fact that there is no profession in the world, now or in the future, that will not rely on information technology, programming, or artificial intelligence." He added, "Hence, our national responsibility emerges; We don't teach our children these skills solely to work in their fields, but rather because they will need them in every profession they pursue," he said, emphasizing that those who do not master programming will inevitably lag behind their peers worldwide.
The Minister added that when the Ministry aimed to introduce this subject into the educational curriculum, we turned to one of the most advanced countries in this field, Japan, and selected the best educational platform there to provide our children with an education that meets the highest international standards.
During the meeting, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif emphasized the importance of recognizing the magnitude of the responsibility placed on the Ministry, teachers, and society, explaining that programming and artificial intelligence are no longer an option, but rather an indispensable necessity for any student seeking a promising future.
The Minister emphasized that the Ministry aims to establish programming as an essential part of education, studied by all students across all tracks, enhancing their creativity and enabling them to compete in a world that is changing at an unprecedented pace.
The Minister indicated that top-performing and outstanding students across the governorates in programming will be given the opportunity to train via video. A conference at Japanese companies allows them to directly interact with global expertise, hone their practical skills, and enhance their ability to compete in the labor market.
The Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sprix for its fruitful cooperation with the Ministry and for implementing the program to train teachers on programming and artificial intelligence using modern methods that enhance their capabilities and expertise, which benefits students.
The Minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the launch of the "Koiro" platform represents a qualitative shift in the development of Egyptian secondary education, as students take exams through the platform and, at the end of their studies, receive an internationally accredited certificate reflecting their level of achievement. He emphasized that this step contributes to developing students' thinking patterns and creativity, and preparing a generation capable of competing in the local and international labor market in the fields of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, in accordance with international standards.
For his part, Mr. Yashiro Tsukamoto, Deputy Head of Mission of Japan in Cairo, expressed his sincere appreciation for the distinguished efforts made in organizing the training on teaching programming and artificial intelligence, which comes within the framework of fruitful cooperation between the Arab Republic of Egypt and Japan, particularly in the educational and technological fields.
The Deputy Head of Mission indicated that, under the auspices of the Ministry, His Excellency the Minister of Education, the Japanese system for teaching programming and artificial intelligence has been introduced to more than 750,000 Egyptian students through the "Koiro" Japanese educational platform developed by Sprix, along with a specialized book on programming and artificial intelligence, which will be adopted starting next academic year.
He emphasized that these joint efforts reflect the growing interest of both Egypt and Japan in integrating programming and artificial intelligence into primary and secondary school curricula, embodying the convergence of visions between the two friendly countries in this vital field.
The Deputy Ambassador also emphasized that teaching programming and artificial intelligence not only enhances students' thinking and memory skills, but also contributes to supporting the national economy and opening new horizons for sustainable development.
He expressed his happiness at strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Japanese Sprix Foundation, which contributes to developing the capabilities of students in Egypt and supporting the path of innovation and advancement in the fields of programming and artificial intelligence.
The Deputy Ambassador expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this training, hoping that this step will be the beginning of a bright future for the children of Japan. Egypt and Japan alike.
During the meeting, the floor was opened for dialogue with the trainees, who expressed their happiness with this training and thanked Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif for this unprecedented step and his interest in technology. They also emphasized that the platform serves both students and teachers alike, praising the uniqueness of the Japanese platform "Koiro," which is easy to use, supports self-learning, and presents programming in the form of engaging, interactive conversations and stories that make learning enjoyable.