Egypt, Japan expand strategic education partnership

Egypt’s Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif met with his Japanese counterpart Toshiko Abe, who is currently visiting Cairo, to discuss strengthening cooperation in educational projects and future collaborations, a Cabinet statement said.

Abdel Latif praised the Egyptian-Japanese relations as a unique model of strategic cooperation based on a shared vision, especially in the education sector, according to the statement.

He noted that the partnership has led to pioneering educational models, most notably the Egyptian-Japanese schools, which represent a distinctive experiment in integrating academic learning with personal and behavioural development.

This is achieved through Japan’s Tokkatsu activities, which foster students’ character development and promote discipline and teamwork. There are currently 55 Egyptian-Japanese Schools, with 15 more set to open in September.

Abdel Latif also praised the successful collaboration in technical education, emphasising the assistance provided for the creation and functioning of Applied Technology Schools with top Japanese companies like Toyota, Casio, and Yamaha.

He described this as a successful model linking education to the actual labour market. There are currently 90 frameworks for these schools, and the ministry seeks cooperation with the Japanese side to develop a further 1,270 schools, he said.

Minister Abdel Latif expressed appreciation for this partnership and affirmed his aspiration for future cooperation, either by expanding existing programmes or introducing new areas of collaboration that enhance education quality.

Abe Toshiko highlighted the strong Japanese-Egyptian relations as a model of international cooperation based on deep mutual understanding and a shared desire to advance education, the statement added.

She emphasised her satisfaction with the collaboration with the Arab Republic of Egypt, particularly in the advancement of pre-university education, which she deemed a crucial element in human development.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama