Egypt's Amb. to Germany: Educational Cooperation With Europe is Must

By: Gehan Abul Ela

BERLIN, Mar. 28 (SEE) - Egypt's Ambassador to Germany Badr Abdel Aati considered that there is no doubt that the diplomacy of science and learning is so vital, and that the educational and economic cooperation between Europe and the Arab world has become a necessity for life and stability.

Speaking to SEE, Abdel Aati said that placing emphasis upon the technical education and vocational training in particular is the top priority of the Egyptian government. In this context, he noted the role of the German University in Cairo at the ongoing eighth meeting of education and training organized by the German-Arab Chamber in Berlin, which confirms its role in developing and raising the efficiency and quality of the educational process in Egypt.

On the sidelines of the opening session of the meeting, Abdel Aati said that Germany is the best country in the world in terms of technical education. “The United States is trying to transfer the German experience in technical education, so we are now in the right place which is the best place in the world to provide a good model for technical education and vocational training,” he added.

On other hand, the ambassador said that the relations between Egypt and Germany have been boosted recently, especially since President Abdel Fattah El Sisi visited Germany three times in the last three years and was keen each time to meet German businessmen and investors who hold about 80% of the economic activity in Germany.

He noted that the German investors have had very positive impressions about Egypt, especially as they found the president offers them all the incentives and guarantees required to support German and foreign investment in Egypt.

He pointed out that the president's commitment gives a clear message that there is strong political will in Egypt to provide all guarantees to German investors to work in Egypt, which resulted in the return of Mercedes to work in Egypt, and, on other hand, expand the scope of work. The work of the car manufacturer will not be confined to traditional car production, but will expand to include other industries related to means of smart and electrical transportation.

Abdel Aati stressed that it is very difficult to attract foreign investments without the availability of skilled labor in Egypt, and therefore such international gatherings can spot means to develop vocational training and technical education.

“This issue of the development of technical education ultimately is in the Egyptian interest and specifically in the recruitment process and creating employment opportunities for Egyptian youth,” he explained.

He pointed out that the president, during his last three visits to Germany, was keen to call upon investors to explore chances in Egypt, noting that one of the German partners had previously confirmed that the move to Egypt is because of the huge human force, both graduates of universities or technical schools.

“Therefore the technical education and vocational training is opening the door for creating new jobs, but also adding competitiveness to Egyptian economy to attract more investments,” he added.

On other hand, Abdel Aati said that it is for the first time, four educational agreements were signed during the president's visit to Berlin last October: the establishment of the first German university of applied sciences in Egypt in the new administrative capital.

“This is a great step because the primary goal of this university is to prepare generations of graduates with specializations coping with the international market.. To be able to lead international companies in Egypt,” he said.

He noted that there was also another agreement to establish a quality education body and a teacher training academy.

He also pointed out that there is an agreement for cooperation at the university level between the Ministry of Higher Education in Egypt and the German Ministry of Education and research, regarding the exchange of researchers, students but also benefiting from the curricula, in addition to another agreement for cooperation in the field of scientific research.