Minister of Education discusses with Italian Minister of Education and Merit

Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, held a meeting with Dr. Giuseppe Valditara, Minister of Education and Merit in Italy, in the presence of Ambassador Michele Quaroni, Ambassador of the State of Italy in Cairo, to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in the field of developing technical and vocational education and expanding applied technology schools in Egypt.

During the meeting, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif stressed that Egypt and Italy have a long history of strategic relations, which enhances the importance of continuous cooperation and coordination between them in the field of developing pre-university education, noting that the ministry is striving to achieve fruitful cooperation with the Italian side with the aim of developing the technical and vocational education system to keep pace with the requirements of the modern era.

The Minister expressed his deep gratitude for the confidence that the Italian side places in the Applied Technology Schools project, noting that this project contributes significantly to achieving economic development through qualifying and training technical workers and preparing young people to enter the labor market efficiently and effectively, adding that this cooperation enhances the partnership between the two countries and aims to develop the capabilities of human cadres and raise the level of technical education in Egypt.

The Minister also continued, stressing the Ministry's commitment to providing the appropriate environment to achieve maximum benefit from this fruitful cooperation and achieve the common goals of both parties.

For his part, Dr. Giuseppe Valditara, Minister of Education and Entitlement in Italy, affirmed his country's commitment to supporting Egyptian efforts in the field of technical and vocational education, and providing all the necessary means and capabilities to achieve common goals.

The Italian Minister also expressed his country's aspiration to enhance cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, especially in providing trained and skilled workers, whether for the local market in Egypt or the Italian market.

The meeting discussed enhancing cooperation opportunities in establishing applied technology schools in areas of common interest between Egypt and Italy, especially information technology and fashion specializations in cooperation with Italian companies. It was also agreed to hold the "Italy Village" exhibition at the Salesian Institute "Don Bosco" on a permanent basis and expand it to include more Italian companies.

The meeting also discussed cooperation in improving the quality of technical education to prepare technical and professional graduates to fill suitable jobs, by having technical education graduates complete a two-year post-intermediate diploma in Italy, if they wish, to match the needs of the Italian labor market, and to provide advanced professional technical training that suits the interests and capabilities of graduates.

The meeting also touched on enhancing cooperation in developing curricula and providing skilled workers with capabilities that suit the local labor market and the Italian labor market.

The meeting was attended from the Ministry of Education and Technical Education by Dr. Amr Basila, Head of the Central Administration for the Development of Technical Education and Director of the Operation and Management Unit of Applied Technology Schools, Dr. Hanem Ahmed, Advisor to the Minister for International Relations and Agreements, and Ms. Amira Awad, the Ministry's Coordinator for United Nations Organizations.