The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the official development assistance entity of the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Egyptian National Training Academy (NTA), organized a Knowledge Sharing Seminar to commemorate the successful completion of a three-year capacity-building training program in Korea, titled “Capacity Development Program for Civil Servants at the National Training Academy of Egypt (2022-2024).”
This significant event, which celebrated the longstanding partnership between Korea and Egypt, was held on Thursday, 28 November 2024, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cairo.
The seminar was graced by several high-ranking attendees like H.E. Kim Yonghyon, the Korean Ambassador to Cairo, Mrs. Kim Jinyoung, KOICA’s Country Director, Dr. Rascha Ragheb, Executive Director of NTA, and Mr. Hamdy Hakim, representing Ambassador Ahmed Farid, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Affairs.
The seminar convened key stakeholders, including officials from the Korean Embassy, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KOICA Egypt Office, and NTA, along with alumni of the training program.
During the seminar, three alumni representatives shared their experiences and insights gained in Korea, discussing the program's impact on their professional roles and demonstrating how they have utilized the knowledge acquired to enhance public services.
This seminar highlights the vital importance of international collaboration in bolstering public sector capabilities and promoting innovation in Egypt.
Mrs. Jinyoung Kim, Country Director of the KOICA Egypt Office, opened the ceremony with a heartfelt speech, expressing her gratitude to all participants. She stated, “Today’s seminar is not just a celebration; it is an opportunity to reflect on the valuable insights gained and to share experiences that will further strengthen our cooperation.”
In turn, Rascha Ragheb, Executive Director of the NTA, conveyed her sincere appreciation to KOICA for its invaluable support in funding this program. “The lessons learned from this project will guide us as we build a more dynamic and forward-thinking organizational culture.”
In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone who been part of this training, H.E. added "Your commitment throughout this training has been profoundly inspiring. In a rapidly changing world, the skills and insights you have gained are essential for both your personal growth and the advancement of your communities.”
Meanwhile, Alumni representatives emphasized the significant impact of their training experiences in South Korea, highlighting how they have applied their newfound skills in their work. They noted that, "The training not only equipped us with essential skills but also inspired us to challenge ourselves and our surroundings, positioning us as leaders of change within our organizations."
They said "Our action plan focuses on identifying necessary skills to ensure sustainability. Through collaborative efforts, we are building a structured database for alumni, which will enhance our training evaluation system and maximize our collective impact."
According to a statement recently issued by KOICA, the capacity-building initiative, part of KOICA’s Capacity Improvement & Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) fellowship program in partnership with NTA, aimed to enhance the organizational capabilities of NTA.
It focused on fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset among NTA staff, enabling them to address national challenges and equipping them with advanced knowledge for developing innovative training materials, particularly in e-learning, to support human resource development in Egypt.
Through the program, KOICA invites public officials, engineers, researchers, and policymakers from partner countries to Korea to provide capacity-strengthening training in various areas, with a focus on sharing Korea's development experience and technology.
Notably, since 1998, the KOICA Egypt Office has been dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of policymakers and public officials from partner countries through its CIAT fellowship program. To date, the program has successfully trained 1,838 alumni and welcomed 132 participants in its scholarship program for Master's and Doctoral degrees.
In 2024, KOICA provided training to 60 officials from four key Egyptian entities: the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Environment, the National Council for Women, and the National Training Academy. Additionally, five candidates from Egypt were selected to join the scholarship program in various fields, furthering their professional development and expertise.