Signing of a Cooperation Protocol between the Productivity Efficiency Authority and the Education Development Fund

Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, witnessed the signing of a joint cooperation protocol between the Productivity Efficiency and Vocational Training Authority and the Education Development Fund of the Cabinet, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The protocol aims to support the development of engineering and technological education in Egypt and provide trained and qualified technical personnel capable of meeting the needs of the local and international labor market in the fields of electronics technology and green energy technology.

The protocol was signed by Major General Engineer Ihab Ramadan, Head of the Productivity and Vocational Training Authority, and Dr. Rasha Sharaf, Secretary General of the Education Fund affiliated with the Cabinet. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Hani Helal, former Minister of Higher Education and Secretary General of the Egyptian-Japanese Partnership for Education, and representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japanese Embassy in Cairo.

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, emphasized that today is a remarkable day in the history of Egyptian industry and technical education, given the contribution of this new cooperation to supporting and developing engineering and technological education in Egypt and providing trained and qualified technical personnel capable of meeting the needs of the local and international labor market. He noted that this cooperation falls within the framework of the sixth axis of the urgent plan for industrial advancement, which is the training and qualification of human resources through the development of vocational and technical training programs in cooperation with the Ministry's training agencies.

The Minister pointed out the need to leverage Japan's experience and expertise in qualifying technical workers and changing their culture to increase demand for Egyptian workers in the local and global markets. He emphasized the Ministry of Industry's commitment to improving the level of training at the Productivity and Vocational Training Authority's centers and developing its laboratories to graduate a skilled technical workforce that meets the needs of Egyptian industry. He thanked the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Education and Technical Education for their efforts, particularly the role of the two ministries in rehabilitating the Technology Center for Engineering Industries in 10th of Ramadan City. This will contribute to graduating highly qualified technicians and technologists, achieving industrial sustainability, especially in light of the new developments imposed by the European Union regarding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which requires EU imports to comply with green manufacturing standards starting in 2027.

The Minister pointed out the need for the Productivity and Vocational Training Authority to coordinate with the Federation of Egyptian Industries and the Chambers of Industry to qualify any technician or worker at the Authority before they join factories. This will contribute to facilitating work for manufacturers and saving the time and effort spent on training workers, thus providing a strong boost to the production cycle. He explained that Forty cooperation protocols were signed with major private sector investors to participate in the management and operation of the Authority's vocational training centers. These protocols contribute to meeting the industry's need for skilled labor in professions relevant to the labor market, providing more trainers and engineers, and opening new specializations within the Authority.

For his part, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized that this cooperation is a successful example of partnership and cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He noted that the Japanese KOZEN program is implemented after the preparatory stage to meet the needs of industry partners. He pointed out that the Japanese experience is a pioneering one, most notably the Japanese University in Egypt, which graduates qualified to work in the Egyptian, regional, and African markets. He thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport for his interest in the Transport University, which is scheduled to be established in cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Education Development Fund of the Cabinet, with the aim of formulating training programs that serve the labor market, especially in light of the significant boom Egypt is witnessing in the fields of transportation and industry. Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education, emphasized that the Ministry attaches great importance to the technical education sector, as it is one of the fundamental pillars for building Egypt's economic and industrial future. He pointed out that one of the most promising areas of development is the preparation of qualified technical workers who meet the requirements of investors and keep pace with labor market standards. He explained that one of the most prominent challenges facing attracting investment is the need to expand the preparation of trained technical cadres in line with market needs, which prompted the Ministry to adopt a new vision for technical education, based on establishing an educational system with international standards, enabling technical school graduates to obtain internationally recognized certificates, qualifying them to work inside and outside Egypt, as well as in major international companies. He pointed to the existing cooperation with the Japanese side through the implementation of the "Kosen" model, which has proven its effectiveness in qualifying students, in addition to the partnership with the Italian side through the implementation of the "Don Bosco" model, which is one of the most successful models in Egypt, with a history spanning more than a hundred years, and its graduates enjoy wide employment opportunities inside and outside Egypt.

The Minister of Education and Technical Education also added that the Ministry is currently working to expand cooperation with the German side. In the coming period, there will be schools and centers of excellence for technical education with international standards. This will be achieved by developing international programs tailored to international needs, granting graduates international certificates that qualify them to work in international companies. This will also include cooperation in the field of dual education, which combines theoretical education in schools with practical training in factories. This represents a strategic direction for the future of technical education in Egypt and a fundamental pillar for attracting more investment. The Minister also indicated that there is joint coordination with the Ministry of Industry to enhance practical training opportunities for students, especially within state-owned factories. This ensures integration between theoretical curricula and practical applications, creating a generation of qualified technicians in accordance with the modern requirements of the labor market.

In conclusion, the Minister expressed his thanks to Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Transport, for his full support for this approach, stressing that the next phase will witness an unprecedented qualitative shift in technical education, contributing to serving national industry and enhancing investment opportunities in Egypt. Dr. Rasha Sharaf pointed out that the Japanese "Kozen" Institutes project is an advanced engineering education system that provides specialized education for five years after the preparatory stage, focusing on practical training and early experiences, with a curriculum that enables students to acquire skills and knowledge equivalent to or superior to a similar level of university education by the time of graduation. The project's implementation has been approved in coordination with the Ministries of Education, Technical Education, and Higher Education and Scientific Research. Studies for the first batch will begin next September. This strategic partnership will achieve a qualitative leap in the quality of graduates and connect them to the needs of the local, regional, and international markets in related disciplines.

Major General Engineer Ihab Ramadan, Head of the Productivity Efficiency and Vocational Training Authority, explained that the protocol aims to accept students from the first batch of the Advanced Technological Institute (Kozen-Egyptian-Japanese), starting in September 2025, to study at the Authority's Vocational Training Center in Tenth of Ramadan. This will benefit from the center's available material, logistical, and technical capabilities, including workshops, laboratories, classrooms, and human resources. The protocol also includes the contribution of the Authority's Tenth of Ramadan Center to establishing advanced training programs in the fields of microelectronics, microchips, green energy, and solar panels. This will also include the exchange of technical expertise, capacity building for staff at the training center, and the training of trainers affiliated with the Kozen-Egyptian-Japanese Institute. The protocol stipulates the allocation of laboratories and workshops for training and educational purposes, and the use of the center's advanced capabilities to provide high-quality technical and technological services. This contributes to preparing a new generation of technicians and engineers trained in the latest modern technologies, enhancing the Ministry of Industry's vision and plan to localize local industry and transform Egypt into a regional industrial hub by preparing qualified technical personnel capable of competing, innovating, and accessing local and international labor markets.

It's worth noting that the Egyptian-Japanese "Kozen" system is an advanced education system inspired by the Japanese system. It applies to holders of the preparatory school certificate. Implementation of this system will begin in September 2025 and includes a five-year study period during which students are qualified in the fields of engineering and technology. Students who study under the "Kozen" system receive a "Kozen" diploma, an above-intermediate certificate that qualifies them to enroll in technological universities, engineering colleges, and computer science colleges. The objectives of the "Kozen" system include developing engineering and technological education in Egypt and providing young people with globally demanded skills in the fields of engineering and technology. It also focuses on practical training and field experiences from the early stages of study. The system is designed to develop students' skills and graduate a generation qualified to contribute to Egypt's economic and social development.