Inauguration of the Mediterranean Technical and Vocational Education Forum

Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education.

Dr. Abdelaziz Qonswa, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, inaugurated the first edition of the “Mediterranean Technical and Vocational Education Forum” (Tech Skills Forum) on Friday morning. The event is organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Education and Technical Education in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit.

The forum saw the attendance of Mohamed Abdel Latif, Egypt’s Minister of Education and Technical Education, and Dr. Giuseppe Valditara, the Italian Minister of Education. Delegates and ministers from various countries, alongside university presidents, business leaders, and media representatives, also participated.

The strategic vision for the forum aims to establish the Mediterranean region as a pivotal platform for dialogue and cooperation among countries to enhance technical and technological education. It focuses on developing future skills, fostering innovation, facilitating digital transformation, and aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs while empowering youth to meet modern development requirements.

This forum marks a significant step towards building effective regional partnerships that contribute to the advancement of technical and vocational education systems. The rapid challenges in the job market necessitate exchanging experiences and best practices among Mediterranean countries to prepare qualified human resources equipped with essential technical and digital skills for regional and international competitiveness.

Key topics discussed at the forum include improving technical education systems, enhancing collaboration between educational institutions and the industrial sector, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, developing students’ digital and practical skills, as well as examining the impact of artificial intelligence and modern technologies on shaping the future of education and work.

The forum features several innovative workshops aimed at students and teachers inspired by the Italian “hackathon” model. Students participate in international teams from various Mediterranean countries to foster creativity, technical knowledge, and interdisciplinary thinking.

The workshops serve as an interactive platform for sharing insights and experiences among participants from diverse nationalities, promoting international communication and collaboration while reinforcing a culture of teamwork and innovation. They also support the role of technical and vocational education in preparing qualified personnel capable of keeping pace with rapid technological developments and responding to changing labor market demands.

Additionally, an exhibition showcasing technical education strategies from participating countries is held alongside the forum. It highlights successful projects and practices in technical education while presenting educational models from different nations.