First Egyptian head of media faculty in Germany: Interview

By: Wafaa Fayez

CAIRO, July.6 (SEE)- Dr. Mohamed El Sayed Badr is the first Egyptian to hold the position Head of the Media school at Macromedia of Applied Sciences in Munich, Germany. Despite his young age, he was the first non-German among 17 other rivals to win that position.

Badr graduated from the Faculty of Commerce Alexandria University in 1999 and worked in the banking and petroleum sector until he was selected as an addendum to the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome. He then decided to study media for nine years until he obtained  a master's and doctorate degree with honors in 2010 , then he decided to move to Germany and get a professorship and took up the post of head of  media school  in Munich. Wafaa Fayez, a correspondent of "SEE" conducted an interview with him.

Scientific awards, strategic relations with big corporations, in addition to writing an Intensive and lengthy electoral program were the reasons behind being chosen for that position, He said.

He added that Egypt has the skills and young people who are capable of holding the best international positions. He called on all youth to develop continuously their skills and abilities in order to take advantage of good opportunities, pointing out the important role of media in highlighting successful models among the youth, praising the role of the Minister of Immigration in providing him with all support, and his readiness to serve his country and participate in any future conferences.

Here is the interview.

•    Why did you join the field of media, despite graduating from the Faculty of Commerce?

- I joined the Faculty of Commerce, Alexandria University in the beginning to get job opportunities. After graduation, I work in a number of banks and an oil company, but the dream of studying the media was always alive. During my trip to Rome as an attache to the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome, I was commissioned to supervise members of the State's prize for artistic creativity.

It was a great opportunity to meet creative young people and I began to study media in Italy. The study of media in Rome took 9 years, starting from 2001 to 2010, during this period, I obtained both master's and doctorate degree.

• What prompted you to complete studies in Germany?

- I got a scholarship to study the administrative part of the media in Munich, Germany. This was an excellent opportunity for me and a good transition in my career. Education in Germany is linked to specialization and labor market; the media is handled in this European country from a different perspective. Media in Berlin is very specialized, for example, there is a media expert specializing in sports, and another in the management of sports events. Both are different in specialization and work method which makes German university graduates distinctive and specialized.

I started working in Germany as a researcher, then worked for Reuters as a development manager, got a professorship degree; I, with other German professors, conducted a research in international trade media. I was chosen as a formal professor by the Bavarian Ministry of Education. I felt the joy of success and hard work after spending 5 years in Germany.

• Why did you decide to run for the presidency post at the Media Faculty in Munich?

- There were many reasons: many academic colleagues advised me to apply for this position, in addition to winning many scientific awards. I unified the curriculum between the media colleges at the Universities of Macromedia Applied Sciences in Munich and Westminster in London, and I was awarded the best university professor as a result of these efforts.

I was shocked at the beginning when many asked me to apply for the post but later I was happy for their encouragement and support. There was no problem for a non-German to hold this position. The relationship between me and the Germans was good and based on respect. I applied for the post and there was an arbitration committee. The committee's condition was for the candidate to get the support of the professors. Thanks I was the first non-German to take the post of the college's dean of among 17 competitors who were all Germany nationals.

• What are the most important features of your electoral program submitted to the Committee?

- My program was intensive and lengthy. It focused on developing the modern teaching method in the media sector, standardizing the curricula and establishing partnerships with the Media College in Munich and other foreign universities, as well as multinational companies to train students and implement their projects.

• The Egyptian Immigration minister congratulated you upon assuming the presidency of the Faculty of media. Did the Ministry have any role?

The Minister was always following me. When I got the best professor award, she contacted and congratulated me. When I got the dean's post, she contacted and congratulated me. I do thank Ambassador Nabila Makram for her support and cooperation with the Egyptians abroad.

• To what extent can our young Egyptians benefit from leadership positions?

- We do not have a shortage of competencies, but we need to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. I meet efficient Egyptian youth working in the world's largest companies and holding senior positions. I know 3 young engineers, graduates of the university of Cairo and Alexandria who are now occupying key global positions. This is great evidence to those criticizing Egypt's education system. I hope that the Egyptian media focuses and shed light on successful Egyptian youth. We are all ready to serve and advance our country.

• What message would you like to convey to young people?

- I advise them to work hard; the opportunity comes to those who are industrious. The youth must develop their skills and update their resume every time.

• What is your opinion about the state's decision to establish foreign universities in Egypt?

- It is an ambitious plan. It plays a great role in improving education system in the country. I support any decisions that further education and research system. Education is the foundation for building societies. We must focus on linking education to the needs of the society and its labor market. The more specialized the local market is, we are able to bring to the market distinguished graduates.