Al-Sisi reviews plans for 100 Italian-backed technical schools, expansion of university hospitals

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Sunday reviewed plans to expand the country’s education system, including the establishment of 100 technical schools in cooperation with Italy, equipping 50 schools with German support and expanding the Japanese-style school network, alongside the development of new universities and teaching hospitals.

Al-Sisi met Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Abdel Aziz Konsowa and senior military officials to review joint education projects and construction progress.

According to a presidential statement, the meeting covered universities, technological institutions and research centres being developed by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, including a new university in the New Administrative Capital and the 577-bed Galala Teaching Hospital.

Al-Sisi also reviewed progress on the new National Cancer Institute in Sheikh Zayed, known as Hospital 500500, which is planned to have a capacity of 340 beds.

He called for an international operator to be brought in to manage the hospital and directed officials to increase bed capacity at existing university hospitals and expand their facilities.

Education Minister Abdel Latif said average student attendance across different education levels had reached 91.6% during the 2026/2027 academic year.

He also outlined efforts to reduce reliance on evening school shifts and expand digital education, including the introduction of financial literacy and programming into school curricula.

Abdel Latif said Egypt now has 103 Japanese-style schools serving more than 31,000 students.

He added that the government was working with Italy to establish 100 technical education schools, with plans to double their number within two years.

Egypt is also cooperating with Germany to equip 50 schools with modern technology and establish centres of excellence, which will be built and overseen by the German side in partnership with Egyptian private companies.

The minister also briefed Al-Sisi on his recent visit to Singapore, including an agreement to launch a joint research project on artificial intelligence in education and expand cooperation in teacher training, educational research and aligning school education more closely with labour-market needs.

Al-Sisi called for continued expansion of international education partnerships and the accelerated completion of ongoing university, research and healthcare projects.