The initiative, titled "Capacity Building in Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Planning and Management in Egypt," was implemented under KOICA's Scholarship and Training Programme, Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT).
The programme targeted Ministry of Environment staff, aiming
to boost the effectiveness of environmental planning and management in Egypt
through the activation of an integrated Geographic Information System (GIS).
The seminar featured officials from the Ministry of
Environment, along with representatives from KOICA partners, including Beni-Suef
Technological University and the General Organisation for Export and Import
Control.
Graduates from the programme's three cohorts presented their
experiences and demonstrated the immediate impact of their training in South
Korea on their daily work.
Three ministry staff members detailed how they are now
utilising their acquired knowledge and GIS skills to deliver more effective
public services. They noted that the programme not only enabled them to prepare
realistic action plans but also exposed them to Korean culture and its advanced
GIS applications.
A master's programme graduate from the CIAT initiative in
South Korea also shared her experience with attendees. The seminar underscored
the pivotal role of international cooperation in supporting public sector
capabilities and strengthening Egypt's environmental sector.
In 2025, KOICA provided training to 45 officials from four
key Egyptian entities: the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Interior,
and the National Council for Women. Additionally, six Egyptian candidates were
selected for the scholarship programme in various fields to further their
professional development.
The KOICA-affiliated CIAT programme is South Korea's
flagship human resource development initiative. It focuses on training and
building the capacity of government officials, engineers, researchers, and
policymakers from developing countries by sharing Korean development expertise
and transferring technology.