Under the slogan "Draw your future" The Minister of Education participates in the activities of the second session of the International Exhibition and Forum for Technical and Technological Education
Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education, participated in the activities of the second session of the International Exhibition and Forum for Technical and Technological Education, Dual Education and Vocational Training (Edu Tech Egypt) 2023, which was launched on February 20 and 21, under the slogan "Draw Your Future".
This came in the presence of Dr. Hala Al-Saeed, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Muhammad Mujahid, Deputy Minister of Education for Technical Education, Mr. Alain Bello, Vice President of Banking Services for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Ms. Margaret Sancho, Deputy Director of the USAID Mission, and Mr. Tobias Krause, Deputy Head of Mission The European Union in Egypt, Dr. Ali Shams El-Din, rapporteur of the organizing committee of the forum and former president of Benha University, and a group of businessmen and experts in the field of technical education.
At the beginning of his speech, Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education, expressed his happiness for attending the activities of the second session of the International Exhibition and Forum for Technical and Technological Education, Dual Education and Vocational Training (Edu Tech 2023), expressing his sincere thanks and appreciation to all participating ministers for their continuous support to the Ministry of Education. He thanked all those supporting the development of the technical education system in the private sector and the public business sector for their efforts and continuous support for technical education.
Dr. Reda Hegazy stressed that technical education is the locomotive of economic progress in Egypt, noting that tomorrow he will honor the first technical diplomas of all kinds for the academic year 2022, on the sidelines of the activities of the Second International Forum for Technical, Technological and Vocational Education and Training “Educate Egypt 2023”.
Dr. Al-Wazir explained that this conference comes within the framework of strengthening aspects of continuous cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and international bodies supporting the development of technical education, the most important of which are the German Institution for International Cooperation (GIZ), the German Credit Bank for Redevelopment (KW), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID), the European Union (EU), and the Support Unit of the Italian Embassy in Cairo; This resulted in many achievements and innovative practices in technical education in Egypt.
He pointed out that the interest of the political leadership in developing technical education since 2014 has resulted in an unprecedented momentum in this field, beginning with the new strategy and plan for developing technical education that the Ministry of Education and Technical Education has pursued since 2018, which relied on encouraging and developing technical education of all kinds, along with Along with attention to its quality, according to international standards, stressing the ministry's interest in supporting and developing the skills of future generations through applied technology and dual education, which is one of the successful starting points for shaping the future of Egypt. Therefore, the Ministry's plan focused on developing technical education curricula, according to the competencies methodology, which is characterized by linking technical education with the needs of the industry in terms of skills, behaviors and knowledge. Graduates mastery of professional skills, combined with sustainable behaviors.
The minister stressed that what is being accomplished today is a change in the mental image of technical education among students and parents, and therefore there are students seeking to enroll in technical education with a total greater than the general secondary total. Keeping pace with international standards, meeting the needs of the labor market in terms of new professions and specializations, and preparing qualified technical cadres at a high level, explaining that the ministry intends soon to sign a protocol aimed at increasing the employment rates of technical school graduates outside Egypt within the framework of "learning for earning".
Dr. Reda Hegazy said that the ministry has adopted an initiative to involve businessmen from the private sector in the management and operation of technical schools, in what is known as applied technology schools that offer model technical schools interested in rapidly changing technological disciplines in the labor market, in addition to applying all means of evaluation and follow-up that guarantee a degree High quality, and these model technical schools were highly appreciated by students and parents, which led to the improvement of the stereotypical mental image of technical education.
Dr. Al-Wazir confirmed that the ministry, in its capacity as supervising the formation of about 80% of technical education graduates, as assigned by the President of the Republic, in October 2018, established the independent “Itqan” authority to ensure quality and accreditation in technical and technical education, and we are about to present the executive regulations of the “Itqan” law. Itqan" to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; in preparation for the selection of its board of directors, and the start of activating its work, indicating that in the near future the ministry will submit a project to amend technical education materials in the education law promulgated by Law No. (139) of 1981; To find the legal basis for the achievements and practices that have been made in recent years, and to emphasize their sustainability and development.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Reda Hegazy said: “The holding of the activities of the second session of the International Exhibition and Forum for Technological Technical Education, Dual Education and Vocational Training (Edu Tech 2023) from February 20-21, 2023 is an expression of the Egyptian society’s interest in developing technical education, and delivering We shed light on what is new in the areas of developing technical education, and it represents a good opportunity for technical education service providers and representatives of the labor market to meet. We hope that this second forum will achieve its desired goals.” He thanked Dr. Mohamed Megahed, Deputy Minister for Technical Education, and the work team for their contributions towards technical education in Egypt. .
In her speech, Dr. Hala Al-Said referred to the concerted efforts of all state institutions to upgrade the technical education and vocational training system, in line with the plans and directions of the Egyptian state and its efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development, foremost of which is the National Program for Structural Reforms, which aims to transform the path of the Egyptian economy into a productive economy based on knowledge and has competitive capabilities in the global economy, in order to encourage inclusive growth, create decent and productive job opportunities, diversify and develop production patterns, improve the investment climate and business environment, localize the local industry and increase the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
Al-Saeed added that this program includes a main axis that aims to raise the efficiency and flexibility of the labor market, develop the technical education and vocational training system, as well as activate the role of the private sector, achieve compatibility between the supply and demand sides of the labor market, and support the empowerment of women, youth and people with special abilities. As this axis is directly related to the development of the industrial sector, which is one of the three main sectors targeted by the program.
Al-Said explained that a number of procedures have been identified to achieve these goals, and their implementation is being followed up in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and other concerned parties. For the methodology of professional competences and the updating of new specializations that are compatible with the development of businesses and jobs; As a result of the rapid technological development, aiming to raise the number of enrollment in technical education from the preparatory stage to 70% instead of the current rate of 55%, in addition to setting standards for the vocational training system in cooperation with the beneficiaries (industrial, commercial, agricultural and hotel) through the establishment of Sector Skills Councils Councils) to determine professional standards for each sector, establishing centers of sectoral competence in selected schools of applied technology in cooperation with the private sector, as well as developing the infrastructure for technical education schools and increasing the number of technical education schools in line with industrial zones and national projects that are being implemented. Currently, to provide the requirements for the implementation of programs built according to the system of professional competences, which will result in providing a distinguished educational environment for practical training, in order to achieve students’ acquisition of the technical competencies required in the labor market.
In his speech, Mr. Alain Bellux, Vice President of Banking Services at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, confirmed that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides, at the request of the two ministries, a valuable assessment of the impact of the Corona virus on the Egyptian workforce and the future of skills, and also provides strong recommendations on reprioritizing the education strategy. Technical and vocational training and cross-border partnerships to improve skills matching and the employability of Egyptian youth, both in Egypt and abroad, explaining that the methodology used in this report is unique because it provides an understanding of the demand for specific occupations in addition to enabling training providers to design programs that can support Employing young people on an international scale, and pointed to the bank’s contribution to developing a strong human capital and opening economic opportunities for all in Egypt.
For her part, Margaret Sancho, Deputy Director of Mission for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), expressed her happiness with her participation today as a representative of the US government and especially USAID to talk about the agency's commitment to technical education in Egypt, noting that for more than four decades, the United States has worked The American agency works with the Egyptian state to launch programs concerned with employment, skills development, job creation and entrepreneurship, and the involvement of the private sector to create a strong environment for investment in training. Now the agency is cooperating with the Egyptian state in its efforts towards achieving its vision of sustainable development 2030.
Tobias Krause, Deputy of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, also expressed his appreciation for the Egyptian political leadership's commitment to reforming technical education and working to provide suitable job opportunities for its graduates, noting that the European Union is cooperating with the Egyptian government in order to face the challenges facing technical education and training, including working on a consensus. Skills with the labor market, providing the required expertise for the future, responding to economic requirements, as well as fulfilling the desires and hopes of students for suitable job opportunities, and ensuring the continued participation of the private sector.
He stressed the importance of the second round of the Edu tech forum, as 46% of secondary school students are enrolled in technical education schools, and for the concerned authorities to provide support to students and provide available opportunities, wishing that this successful international forum would be held every year, to meet the needs of the local and global labor market.