The initiative is a collaboration between the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and Orascom Construction.
The inauguration was attended by Engineer Naguib Sawiris,
Executive Chairman of Orascom Investment Holding and Vice Chairman of the Board
of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation; Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of Orascom
Construction and co-founder of the Sawiris Foundation; and Engineer Osama
Bishai, CEO of Orascom Construction.
Among ministry officials present were Dr. Ayman Bahaa,
Deputy Minister of Education; Dr. Amr Basila, Head of the Central
Administration for Technical Education Development and Director of the Applied
Technology Schools Operation and Management Unit; along with representatives
from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society.
This step is part of the ongoing implementation of the
Egyptian state’s strategy to develop the technical education system and
strengthen effective government-private sector partnerships.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly,
Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif expressed the
Prime Minister’s pride in this unique model of national partnership. He
highlighted that the inauguration of the Onsi Sawiris School for Applied
Technology and Construction marks the culmination of a strategic collaboration
between the state and the private sector, aiming to create a new educational
reality and redefine professional excellence.
In his address, Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of Orascom
Construction and Co-Founder of the Sawiris Foundation, said: “Parents instilled
the value of education and the importance of providing real opportunities for
young people to excel. The Onsi Sawiris School for Applied Technology and
Construction is not only a new educational institution but also a living
embodiment of my father, Engineer Onsi Sawiris’s vision and his strong belief
that true progress begins with investing in human potential, perseverance, and
preparing technically skilled professionals to the highest international
standards.”
Sawiris added that supporting specialized technical
education, particularly in the construction sector, directly contributes to
enhancing Egypt’s capacity to implement national projects with qualified local
talent and boosts the competitiveness of the national economy.
He continued: “From this perspective, the school implements
global best practices in training and links education to the actual job market
by providing real job opportunities for students immediately upon graduation.”
Nassef Sawiris praised the partnership with the Ministry of
Education and Technical Education, saying: “The Ministry is recognized as a
long-standing strategic partner. This collaboration aimed to make the school a
unique model that breaks the stereotypical image of technical education. The
school is the first of its kind in its field to receive German AHK
accreditation, opening international horizons for graduates.”
During his speech, Engineer Osama Bishai, CEO of Orascom
Construction, said: “At Orascom Construction, developing specialized technical
education is considered the cornerstone for building a strong construction
sector that supports sustainable economic development.”
He added: “Through the partnership with the Onsi Sawiris
School for Applied Technology and Construction, practical experience from work
sites is transferred to training halls, directly linking education to the needs
of actual projects and the labor market. The school represents a true
investment in human capital, contributing to the preparation of a new
generation of qualified technicians according to the highest international
standards, supporting national projects with Egyptian talent capable of
competing locally and internationally.”
Laila Hosny, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation
for Social Development, noted that the launch of the Onsi Sawiris School for
Applied Technology coincides with the Foundation’s 25th anniversary, saying:
“This gives the institution a special symbolic significance; it embodies the
core of the strategy, transitioning from direct support to sustainable economic
empowerment through the gateway of quality of education.”
She added: “The school aims to graduate internationally
certified technicians according to the standards of the German Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. It also seeks to consolidate the institution’s role as a
key partner in building Egyptian human capital, continuing a success story that
began 25 years ago, based on investing in the minds and capabilities of young
people.”
The Onsi Sawiris School for Applied Technology and
Construction is considered an advanced model of modern technical education. It
relies on an integrated system combining academic study with practical,
hands-on training within a state-of-the-art learning environment. This ensures
the development of specialized technical skills, as well as behavioral and
professional skills, while enhancing students’ language proficiency to enable
effective integration into the labor market.
The school has received accreditation from the German
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK) at level (B), becoming the first
specialized school in its field to achieve this international accreditation.
This opens broad horizons for graduates to compete globally and contributes to
raising standards in the construction and finishing sector according to
international quality and innovation benchmarks.
The school offers specialized educational programs in
plastering, drywall construction, tile and ceramic installation, and industrial
flooring. Admission is open to graduates of preparatory school through the
Ministry of Education and Technical Education’s online admissions platform.
Graduates receive three accredited certificates: a technical
diploma issued by the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, a
certificate of practical experience from training institutions, and an
international accreditation certificate upon passing the final examinations.