minister of Education Witnesses Signing of Cooperation Protocol with the Institute of Tourism in Salzburg, Austria
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between ADD Real Estate, a hotel management company in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg, Austria (ITH-Tourismusschulen Salzburg), regarding the establishment of a technological baccalaureate program in hospitality at applied technology schools.
The protocol was signed by Mr. Lars Geffier, CEO of ADD Real Estate, and Dr. Manfred Bammer, a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg, Austria.
In his remarks during the signing ceremony, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, expressed his pleasure at attending this significant event, which reflects the new spirit in Egyptian education. He emphasized that this collaboration brings together Austrian expertise, the commitment of the Egyptian private sector, and the strategic vision for reforming the national education system.
The Minister pointed out that this event is not merely the signing of a protocol, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in preparing Egypt's youth for a highly competitive global economy. He explained that the state has invested heavily in developing technical and vocational education over the past few years.
Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif added that Egypt is expanding the establishment of applied technology schools, adopting dual education models, and strengthening cooperation with the private sector to provide real training environments within schools. He also noted that the education system has been opened to international partners with established global standards.
The Minister emphasized that the clear objective of these efforts is to propel technical education onto a strong path toward the future, opening up real opportunities for young people in the labor market.
He commended the cooperation with ADD Real Estate for Hotel Management and the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg, considering this collaboration one of the most prominent examples embodying the national vision for developing technical education.
He pointed out that the three-year Technological Baccalaureate program in Hospitality at Applied Technology Schools, accredited in both Egypt and Austria, positions Egypt at the forefront regionally in hospitality education. He added that the program offers a world-class curriculum and practical training within distinguished hotel environments, with rigorous quality assurance, thus providing students with genuine qualifications that open up broad horizons for them both within Egypt and abroad.
He emphasized that this program is not merely a pathway to employment, but rather a model for what technical education in Egypt can become, and a testament to the ability of the government, the private sector, and international partners to work together to create real opportunities for young people.
The Minister concluded his remarks by affirming the Ministry's commitment to further expanding such partnerships, strengthening the technical education system, and building a workforce capable of meeting the demands of the future. He congratulated all partners on this achievement and expressed his hope that this cooperation will grow and yield new initiatives that benefit young people, the economy, and the nation.
For his part, Ambassador Georg Postinger, the Austrian Ambassador to Egypt, affirmed that this program is the fruit of a unique integration between Austria's leading expertise in hospitality education and Egypt's ambition to develop technical and vocational education and training. He stated that it will provide students with the opportunity to acquire international and practical skills, preparing them for integration into a global tourism market that demands quality, innovation, and a deep understanding of cultural diversity.
The Austrian Ambassador noted that this event is more than just the signing of an agreement; it is the beginning of a long-term partnership that will contribute to supporting young people, enhancing professional standards, and strengthening the existing ties between Austria and Egypt.
This took place in the presence of Mr. David Nabil, CEO of the National Academy of Sciences and Skills; Eng. Basil Sami Saad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADD Real Estate for Hotel Management; and Eng. Karim Sami Saad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Samcrete.
From the Ministry of Education, Dr. Amr Basila, Head of the Central Administration for Technical Education Development and Director of the Applied Technology Schools Operation and Management Unit, was also present.
It is worth noting that the protocol aims to establish and implement a three-year technological baccalaureate program in hospitality in Egypt. This program encompasses several key specializations, including culinary arts, restaurant and service management, reception management, and accommodation and housekeeping management. It is being implemented in partnership with a leading Austrian educational institution, following an applied technology model based on European expertise.
The program will be delivered at the ADD Applied Technology Schools in 6th of October City and Hurghada. The curriculum includes both theoretical and practical components, as well as on-the-job training within the ADD hotel network under the supervision of certified instructors.
Successful graduates will receive a dual-accreditation diploma recognized by the Austrian Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education, and the Egyptian academic partner, the National Academy of Sciences and Skills (NAS).