New Graduates from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities Complete Restoration Training

New Graduates.

In a significant step showcasing the deep archaeological and scientific collaboration between Egypt and Germany, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of restorers from the Supreme Council of Antiquities. This program is part of specialized training initiatives for 2025 aimed at investing in human resources and equipping them with the latest technological advancements.

The Ministry of Tourism announced that certificates for completing the specialized training programs for 2025 were awarded to several restorers from the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo (DAIK).

This training initiative reflects the ongoing fruitful cooperation between the ministry and the German institute, highlighting both parties’ commitment to enhancing human resources through modern scientific and technological systems in archaeological work.

In 2025, five intensive training programs were executed, involving 60 trainees from various sectors of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. The training covered diverse topics including digital documentation, surveying, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and applied sciences in archaeology. The objective was to enhance trainees’ skills in preparing archaeological maps and managing geographical data related to sites, along with digitally documenting inscriptions and artifacts.

The training programs also included specialized topics such as understanding and documenting software systems used in archaeology, techniques for archaeological photography, and applications of modern technologies and natural sciences in studying and analyzing artifacts.

The trainees expressed their satisfaction with acquiring these modern scientific skills and tools, emphasizing the importance of continuing and expanding these training programs due to their direct impact on improving fieldwork and museum operations in Egypt.

The certificate distribution event was attended by Dr. Diaa Zahran, Head of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector; Dr. Ahmed Hamida, Head of Museums Sector; Dr. Ahmed Rahima, Assistant Minister for Human Resources and General Supervisor of Central Training Unit; Dr. Basem Ibrahim, General Director of Visitor Services at archaeological sites and museums; and Mohamed Hussein, Director of Training Centers at the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Representatives from the German Archaeological Institute included Dr. Dietrich Rau, Director of DAIK; Dr. Ralph Bodenstein, Deputy Director; and Heba Afifi, Administrative Affairs Manager at the institute.

Furthermore, Dr. Ahmed Rahima held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Dietrich Rau to discuss future cooperation prospects. They discussed ways to increase the number of training programs for the upcoming season and accommodate more trainees to ensure sustained training impact across various archaeological sites and museums nationwide. There are plans to expand these programs into Upper Egypt and other regions rather than limiting them to Cairo alone.