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Daily News Egypt
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Fostering Mutual Prosperity: A Farewell Message from KOICA's Egypt Country Director
It was one of the ordinary, scorching, and sweltering afternoons in a Sohag village in September 2022. More than 200 villagers gathered in a makeshift tent to watch a play written and staged by their sons, daughters, nephews, and nieces. Two little girls aged seven or eight were sitting on the floor at the centre of the stage, playing with dolls, until one of them was about to be taken away by force to marry an old neighbour. The scene left the audience trembling with bitterness and anger, some even sobbing (including myself). My agency has supported youth groups and religious and community leaders in Upper Egyptian villages, in cooperation with the UN Population Fund and the National Council for Women, to raise awareness about eliminating all forms of violence and harmful practices against women and girls. Our partners have built a shared understanding of what needs to change and why, and have strengthened their capacities to act as a community. On that hot day, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius, the people of the Sohag village shared testimonies and commitments through the youths who portrayed a repentant villain, enlightened guardians, and empowered victims of gender-based violence. Yet what thrilled me beyond words was that the two little girls, who played the role of vulnerable beings, undoubtedly made a splendid debut in real life as well, ready to grow into independent and self-fulfilled young women. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korean government's official development cooperation agency, has been working with Egypt since its inception in 1991. We have contributed, through projects worth $100 million, to the social and economic development of this respectable and remarkable country. Our constant focus lies in improving technical education at a higher level, enhancing government services through digital technology, strengthening social protection for women and vulnerable groups, and tapping their potential as self-reliant agents of change. More than 2,000 Egyptian government officials have visited Korea for capacity building, while 350 Korean volunteers have supported public community services in Egypt by transferring their technical expertise. I once heard a pleasant joke from a high-ranking government official: if any Egyptian government officer wants to be a leader, he or she must undergo KOICA training. This joke refers to the fact that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly himself participated in a KOICA capacity building programme on urban development and planning in 2001. Egypt is the sole priority country in the MENA region for the Korean government's development cooperation. While this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, their mutual partnership remains solid and continues to mature. Development cooperation has a human face. As I look back on the last three years in Egypt, completing my term this month as the first female country director of the KOICA Egypt Office, I recall him, her and them, and our shared moments at the heart of projects. I met him again after 20 years at the Embaba automotive vocational training centre operated by the PVTD (Productivity and Vocational Training Department) under the Ministry of Transport and Industry. The KOICA Egypt Office had supported automotive maintenance VTCs in Cairo, Giza, and Alexandria for 20 years from 1993, investing a cumulative $10m. A comprehensive new $10m project kicks off this month, covering all KOICA-supported VTCs. The project aims to update the curriculum and standardise a training-of-trainers scheme and a maintenance training programme for environment-friendly vehicles, aligned with the Egyptian government's green mobility initiative. He was a young instructor back then and is now a zone director. He has witnessed the evolution of technical education alongside KOICA projects and has been involved in pilot training programmes with the private sector for the maintenance of environment-friendly vehicles. The deepened partnership with KOICA will enable him to play a key role in establishing an advanced hub for automotive maintenance training in Egypt. He is a graduate of Beni Suef Technological University (BTU), majoring in mechatronics. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research introduced a new technological education system at the university level in 2019, reflecting the far-reaching insight of government leadership into the labour gap and the needs of key industries in Egypt. The technological universities aim to produce fully qualified field supervisors equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Graduates can direct and monitor the work that technicians are required to carry out at factories, based on engineers' designs from their desks in the office. The KOICA Egypt Office has been supporting BTU since its establishment in 2019 through $14m in grant projects for curriculum development and providing equipment relevant to labour market needs. BTU has received internationally recognised accreditation, and the Railway Technology faculty will be launched this year. We will soon see multiple collaborations among government, academia, and the private sector involving the Ministry of Transport and Industry, the National Tunnel Authority, Hyundai Rotem (a global railway technology company from Korea), BTU, and KOICA. This model will enable our students to learn theories and skills through immersive on-the-job training, keeping them abreast of relevant industrial needs. So, back to our mechatronics graduate. He is now heading to Korea this summer to pursue his master's degree in mechatronic engineering after earning a competitive full scholarship from the Korean government. I've known him as a diligent student of Korean language and a hardworking assistant to KOICA volunteers teaching Korean and computer skills at the University-Industry Cooperation Centre of BTU. His acceptance into a master's programme at a Korean university shows that the Egyptian government's initiative to promote quality education for skilled youths ready to contribute to Egypt's growing industries is bearing fruit. Congratulations to him, and thanks to the leadership at BTU for their constant cooperation. Self-driven reformers among public service leaders and managers, committed to achieving breakthroughs and transformation, have always impressed me through every aspect of their initiatives, actions, and feedback. Colleagues from the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) under the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade are true pioneers. They approached the Korean government to jointly conduct a feasibility study, aiming to produce policy recommendations for introducing a risk-based import/export cargo examination process at border points. Their tenacious pursuit of reducing processing time through an accurate AI-based algorithm has led to tangible cooperation between KOICA and GOEIC. Both governments are now in the process of officially approving a joint project worth $11m, which is set to launch this year. The project aims to reduce the duration of customs inspections by half during its implementation period and is expected to boost trade and foster a favourable business climate in Egypt. I am confident that the GOEIC team, with strong support from the minister, will manage to reduce the time even further within a few years after the completion of the project. Certainly, there have been—and still are—periods of challenges, waiting, unforeseen external factors, and untapped opportunities. However, I believe that Egypt and Korea will continue to cooperate and prosper together, as we are beginning to see positive signs of economic recovery, which could unlock new opportunities. We have built strong trust with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which serve as the coordinating ministries of the Egyptian government for our work in the country. We still remember the warm hospitality and appreciation for our partnership shown by Prime Minister Madbouly, ministers, partner organisations, and colleagues during the historic first visit of the KOICA president to Egypt in November 2024, which marked the completion of the country's first online public procurement system introduced with KOICA's support in cooperation with the General Authority of Government Services (GAGS). I have cherished the heartfelt welcome and the spirit of kindness and care I encountered everywhere. I also deeply appreciate my KOICA Egypt Office team, who are capable, devoted, philanthropic, and humorous. As I conclude my time in Cairo, I'd like to share a quote from the opening lines of the British writer Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities: 'It was the best of times, the age of wisdom, the epoch of belief, the season of light, and the spring of hope. We had everything before us.' Alhamdulillah for everything, and inshallah, I will come back to the land of the Nile someday. Jinyoung Kim, Country Director of KOICA Egypt Office
Korea Herald
13-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Egypt lauds Korean support aligned with Vision 2030
Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman lauded South Korea's development cooperation and investments that align with Egypt's Vision 2030, marking the 73rd anniversary of Egypt's National Day on Friday. The National Day, commemorated every July 23, celebrates the 1952 revolution that abolished the monarchy and established modern Egypt. As the country looks ahead, Vision 2030 serves as a blueprint to enhance the quality of life through justice, inclusion and civic participation. 'Complementing these investments, KOTRA, KOICA and the Export-Import Bank of Korea have supported Egypt's development through programs in green energy, digital transformation, vocational training and rural development — aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030,' said Rahman during a commemorative event in Seoul. He highlighted Egypt's $59 billion commitment to building a new smart city east of Cairo — integrating artificial intelligence, the internet of things, automated infrastructure and sustainable transport, expressing gratitude toward Samsung, LG, Hyundai Rotem, KHNP and Doosan, for investments in projects such as metro trains to the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. 'The distance between the Pyramids of Giza and the palaces of Seoul may be great, but our aspirations converge,' Rahman noted. Egypt and Korea established diplomatic relations on April 13, 1995, evolving from cordial exchanges into a comprehensive cooperative partnership, significantly strengthened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi's 2016 visit to Seoul and then-President Moon Jae-in's 2022 visit to Cairo. Meanwhile, Lee Tae-woo, Korea's Ambassador for International Cyber Cooperation, noted that bilateral trade surged from $500 million in 1995 to over $3 billion in 2023. Lee shared an Arabic saying, 'Al rafik kabl al tarik,' which means 'Choose your friend before choosing your path.' He added, 'With a good friend, even a tough road becomes enjoyable.' The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, embassy officials, foreign residents in Korea, Korean company executives, nongovernmental organizations and the media.
Morocco World
30-06-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Beni Mellal-Khenifra: Morocco, Korea's KOICA Partner to Improve Maternal, Child Health
Rabat – Morocco's Ministry of Health and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have signed a $11 million deal to improve maternal and child health in the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. A statement from the Korean company said the agreement was signed on June 26, marking the 'beginning of a $11 million initiative funded by KOICA.' The initiative will be implemented over four years from 2025 to 2029, the statement said, noting that the project seeks to reduce preventable maternal, neonatal, and child mortality in the region. It also seeks to improve nutrition care service in rural areas in the region, the press release indeed, conveying KOICA's determination to support the implementation of technical on-site capacity-building training and health equipment and performance monitoring in low-performing health facilities. The project is part of the company's expansion after the 'successful implementation' of a project in the Tetouan-Tangier-Al Hoceima region. Hyewon Cho, Country Director of KOICA, commented on the agreement, noting that the partnership highlighted Korea's commitment to supporting Morocco's healthcare system. 'KOICA stands ready to be a key partner in strengthening primary health services in Beni-Mellal-Khenifra,' Cho said. According to the company, Morocco's Ministry of Health is expected to provide full administrative and technical support to ensure the implementation of the project, highlighting both parties' determination to engage to achieve project goals and ensure sustainability. In May, the World Bank shed light on Morocco's genuine efforts to tackle maternal and infant mortality rates. Despite the commendable efforts, however, the World Bank acknowledged that this issue continues to be an issue affecting the country, especially in rural areas. 'Out of 100,000 live births in 2018, 111 mothers died in rural areas compared with 45 in urban areas,' the World Bank said, noting that there were also 26 deaths per 1,000 births in rural areas compared with 19 in urban areas. Tags: Child healthcarehealthcare in Morocco
Daily News Egypt
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
KOICA, Beni Suef Technological University link graduating students with employers at job fair
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Beni Suef Technological University (BTU) have organised a job fair and project exhibition to connect graduating students with industry partners. The event, held for the university's 2025 graduates, aimed to link academic work with professional opportunities. It featured a Capstone Projects Exhibition with 26 innovative graduation projects that attracted interest from potential employers and investors, alongside a job fair designed for students to network with companies. The event was attended by senior officials including KOICA Egypt Country Director Jinyoung Kim, Benisuef Governor Mohamed Ghoneim, and Korean Embassy Economic Counsellor Jehyun YANG. They were joined by the President of Beni Suef Technological University, Jean Henri, presidents of other technological universities, and leaders from the industrial community. In his welcoming speech, Henri emphasised the importance of collaboration between academia and industry and thanked KOICA and industrial partners for their support. 'I invite our industrial partners to take advantage of this conference, speak with our talented students, and benefit from their skills and creativity,' he said. Governor Ghoneim highlighted the event as a success of international cooperation. 'The relationship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Korea is one of the greatest examples of fruitful cooperation, resulting in significant educational and developmental projects, including Beni Suef Technological University,' he stated. 'Today, we witness the culmination of this constructive cooperation here in Beni Suef by providing real job opportunities for students and graduates, which is one of the most prominent forms of success in this international partnership that directly connects education with the labor market,' he continued. KOICA Country Director Jinyoung Kim also addressed the attendees. 'It is an honour to extend my warm congratulations on the '2025 Capstone Exhibition and Job Fair of Beni-suef Technological University' today,' she said. 'What makes today especially inspiring is the vibrant energy I see in our students' contribution to this event through their projects built with remarkable knowledge and creative ideas. We aim to raise the standard of technical education at a high level further in Egypt and support young Egyptian talents in Upper Egypt to reach their professional goals.' The event marks the latest development in a long-standing partnership. Since 2016, KOICA has collaborated with BTU to develop university-level technological education curricula, supported by a contribution of approximately $14m from the Korean government. At the conclusion of the event, KOICA and BTU honoured their industrial partners and announced the winners of the graduation project competition. One project was selected as the winner from each of the four fields: Mechatronics, ICT, Autotronics, and Renewable Energy. The event also included a presentation of certificates to students who had completed Korean language and computer science programmes, part of the World Friends Korea (WFK) Programme. Through the WFK initiative, volunteers have provided Korean language and computer science education to around 100 students.
See - Sada Elbalad
23-06-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
KOICA, Benisuef Technological University Organize 2025 Graduates Job Fair, Capstone Project Exhibition
By Ahmad El-Assasy The relationship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Korea is one of the greatest examples of fruitful cooperation, resulting in significant educational and developmental projects: Governor 'What makes today especially inspiring is the vibrant energy I see in our students' contributions through their projects built with remarkable knowledge and creative ideas: Country Director of KOICA Egypt Office 'I invite our industrial partners to take advantage of this conference, speak with our talented students, and benefit from their skills and creativity : BTU president Beni Suef , 23 June 2025 The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in coordination with Beni Suef Technological University (BTU), proudly organized the 2025 Graduates Job Fair and the Capstone Project Exhibition for the University students as part of its support to the University through two key projects. Since its inception in 2016, KOICA and Beni Suef Technological University have collaborated to develop university-level technological education curricula with a contribution of approximately $14 million from the Korean government. The Job Fair aimed to empower students by connecting academic excellence with professional opportunities. Simultaneously, the Capstone Projects Exhibition featured 26 innovative graduation projects that earned significant interest from potential employers and investors, promoting a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. This event provided an excellent opportunity for students to network with industry partners. The event was attended by Ms. Jinyoung KIM, Country Director of KOICA Egypt Office, the Korean Embassy Economic Counselor Jehyun YANG, along with Dr. Mohamed Ghoneim, Beni Suef Governor, Dr. Jean Henri, President of Benisuef Technological University, Dr. Mohamed Watany, Advisor to the Supreme Council of Technological Universities, Presidents of Technological Universities, and leaders from the industrial community. The event commenced with a welcoming speech by Dr. Jean Henri, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. He expressed gratitude to KOICA and industrial partners, highlighting the significance of connecting students to the job market. Dr. Jean also encouraged industry partners to engage with students, stating, 'I invite our industrial partners to take advantage of this conference, speak with our talented students, and benefit from their skills and creativity.' Following him, Beni Suef Governor Dr. Ghoneim expressed his support for initiatives that empower students and enhance their employability. He stated, "The relationship between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Korea is one of the greatest examples of fruitful cooperation, resulting in significant educational and developmental projects, including Beni Suef Technological University." He continued, "Today, we witness the culmination of this constructive cooperation here in Beni Suef by providing real job opportunities for students and graduates, which is one of the most prominent forms of success in this international partnership that directly connects education with the labor market." Dr. Ghoneim also noted that Beni Suef is fortunate to host two of the most important specialized educational institutions: the Technological University and the Labor University, which is expected to be transformed into a technological university. These institutions aim to support the economic development strategy and enhance the industrial sector, contributing to linking education with labor market needs. He concluded his speech by emphasizing that education linked to employment is the cornerstone of any genuine economic renaissance, and the government seeks through these promising entities to build technical and professional cadres that meet the requirements of comprehensive development. For her part, KOICA Country Director Ms. Jinyoung Kim stated, "It is an honor to extend my warm congratulations on the '2025 Capstone Exhibition and Job Fair of Beni-suef Technological University' today. I am delighted to join this meaningful event, where we appreciate the students' projects and collaboration with industry partners." She added, 'What makes today especially inspiring is the vibrant energy I see in our students' contribution to this event through their projects built with remarkable knowledge and creative ideas. We aim to raise the standard of technical education at a high level further in Egypt and support young Egyptian talents in Upper Egypt to reach their professional goals.' Professor Choi Seong Joo also delivered a speech focusing on the critical role of technology in shaping future job markets. In the conclusion of the event, KOICA, in cooperation with BTU, honoured the industrial partners for their invaluable support to students and announced the winners of the graduation projects. The competition was intense, making it challenging for evaluators to choose standout projects from each program. Ultimately, one project was selected from each field, including Mechatronics, ICT, Autotronics, and Renewable Energy. Additionally, on the sidelines of the event, KOICA and BTU presented certificates to students who had completed the Korean language and computer science programs, along with a specialized course in Solid, which was integrated into their curriculum. This effort is part of the World Friends Korea (WFK) Program, where volunteers have actively supported students with Korean language and computer science education, benefiting around 100 students across various classes. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
