Education First & Opening of Banque Misr School for Applied Technology and Pharmaceutical Industries in Ismailia

As part of the governorate’s National Day celebrations, Major General A.C. Akram Mohamed Galal, Governor of Ismailia, inaugurated today, Sunday, October 26, 2025, the Banque Misr School for Applied Technology and Pharmaceutical Industries in the Third District, emphasizing the governorate’s commitment to developing technical and technological education.

The inauguration was attended by Brigadier General Mohamed Farag Shaalan, Military Advisor to the Governorate, Ayman Moussa, Director of the Directorate of Education, Dr. Mahmoud Hamza, CEO of Education First and Coordinator of the “Bridges” Initiative, Dr. Mohsen Fathy Darwish, Deputy Head of Banque Misr Branches, Ashraf Anwar Abdel Aal, Director of the Canal Region, Ahmed Al-Aidi, Technical Advisor of the “Bridges” Initiative, and a number of banking and academic leaders representing the success partners.

During his speech, the Governor emphasized that this educational institution embodies the Egyptian state’s role in strategically investing in human capital, through increased focus on technical and technological education.

The Governor noted that the school is one of the key outcomes of the “Bridges” Initiative, launched last October, aiming to achieve educational equality through continuous staff training and meeting actual labor market needs.

“Technical and technological education has become a global trend, and the Egyptian government adopts this model to keep pace with global development, turning human potential into skilled and licensed labor,” he added.

Ayman Moussa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, noted that the school represents a qualitative leap by offering advanced academic and vocational training, ensuring the supply of the best-qualified workforce to the labor market.

Dr. Mahmoud Hamza explained that the school is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, Banque Misr (industrial partner), the Egyptian Federation of Industries, Education First (academic partner), and the German Chamber.

Governor Galal received a detailed briefing from Nabil Michel, the school’s academic advisor, who explained that the school was developed from an existing local school and has now started with an initial intake of 80 students for the academic year 2025/2026.

The school’s curriculum is competency-based, focusing on three main pillars: knowledge, skills, and behaviors, aiming to graduate professionals who are precise, innovative, and proud of their national and professional identity.

The school provides accredited certificates, including the Technological Secondary Diploma (from the Ministry of Education), an internationally recognized specialization certificate (from the German Chamber), and a work experience certificate (from the factories where practical training is conducted).

The 3-year program also qualifies students to continue their studies in technological colleges in the same specialization (based on total marks without equivalency).

The Governor inspected the classrooms, praised the students’ educational level, and emphasized maintaining an ideal student density of 20 per class to ensure education quality.

At the end of the visit, students presented the Holy Quran to the Governor in appreciation of his efforts, and he took commemorative photos with students and teaching staff.