In a session held today at British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), it was shed light by the attendees on the role of the private sector in supporting Skills-based Education that address current employing market challenges in Egypt.
Matt Clarke, Senior International Business Manager, Edexcel, started talking about the universities as they have a major role so they should be involved in the equation. He mentioned that there is a lack of skills not only in Egypt but in the region also. There is lots of money spent on education, but the result is in vain.
Clarke said the main factor he reached, after having a study on some students in UK, 2009, which each education should have goal, this for preparing who can be hiring. So if the businessmen haven’t participated, no one can know what skills they need for work. At once he hailed the participation of Vodafone Egypt and HSBC.
“Without the necessary skills and demanded leadership, there is no success”, Clarke said.
Clarke said examples which the students really need should be set not only in Egypt but the region too; in addition, the student should have the right to receive training.
Matt Clarke referred to another important problem, which is the poor relation between the skills that the industries need and what the schools teach. So our role as teachers is to focus on the main skills. Also we should implement what we have learned ” this is the education we need’.
Clarke finished his speech mentioning a crucial problem exists in Egypt, the lack of rules. There is a problem that every one in Egypt does what he/she wants without following the rules or the system as a whole. Everything should be done pursuant to the rules and this is what the education needs, moreover, it needs encouraging on the perfect competition.
Hatem Dowidar, CEO of Vodafone Egypt, said when we talk about education we talk about having openings. He said that his company, Vodafone Egypt, helps by having 2500 openings.
Dowidar referred that 400,000 students graduate every year, although they lack necessary skills for working in the external market. Only 200,000 students can have the chance to work in the external market. As we know how much Arab spring revolts influenced on the student, so only 100,000 ones this year who have the opportunities to work abroad, especially they speak foreign language. Most of these students are graduates of Science, Computer Science and Medicine.
He said Vodafone has programs for the universities’ students. We have programs for work such as Edata and developing technology fund. Dowidar elaborated that they give graduates at first courses for developing technology then courses for improving languages.
He mentioned that in Egypt 85% of students can speak English, so they have to learn other languages such as Germany, French or Italian …..Etc.
Finally he referred to important factors, they are culture and behavior.
