MBRF visits Egypt to build cooperation in knowledge building, youth training and literacy
The Mohammad Bin Rashed Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), an affiliate of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), recently visited Egypt to explore new areas of cooperation in knowledge building, youth training, and literacy.
The MBRF delegation led by H.E. Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, held separate meetings with H.E. Prof. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; H.E. Dr. Tarek Shawki, Egypt’s Minister of Education and Technical Education; Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Shaarawy, Egypt’s Minister of Local Development; and Karam Gaber, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.
During the delegation’s meeting with Prof. Ghaffar and Dr. Shawki at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research headquarters in Cairo, the parties discussed possible collaborations with Egyptian educational institutions where MBRF can help contribute to empowering the youth with skills necessary to meet future challenges and meet sustainable development goals.
Prof. Ghaffar noted the strong Egyptian Emirati relations in knowledge building and education. He said a joint coordination with MBRF will enable the current generations to keep pace with the rapid technological developments and learn how to properly employ smart tools in all aspects of their lives.
Dr. Shawki, for his part, commended the role of MBRF in knowledge dissemination, as well as its success and positive impact in many communities. He pointed out that partnering with the foundation will bring about significant positive changes on Egyptian students’ pre-university education and skills enhancement.
H.E. Huwaireb spoke about the growing number of higher education institutions in Egypt over the recent years, saying that MBRF is willing to provide them the needed support once the process has been put in place.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor of the Knowledge Project at the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, hailed the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Egypt’s outstanding performance in the Global Knowledge Index 2021 where the country ranked first in Africa and 35th globally. He noted that the success of the long-standing partnership between UNDP and MBRF is founded on their common vision to promote sustainable knowledge development in the Arab region and beyond.
During a meeting with Maj. Gen. Shaarawy, H.E. Huwaireb discussed how capacity development of youth and women under Egypt’s Governorates Project can help address illiteracy, citing some of the country’s programs such as The Decent Life (Haya Karima) initiative and MBRF’s ‘Literacy Challenge’ Forum.
Maj. Gen. Shaarawy praised MBRF for its role in the development of the Arab region and the world. He assured that the Ministry is committed to supporting the foundation and leverage the available resources to achieve their common objectives and initiatives.
H.E. Huwaireb reaffirmed MBRF’s support for Egypt’s efforts to increase the literacy rate in its rural communities, in line with the foundation’s commitment to support knowledge building and development. At the end of the meeting, H.E. encouraged the need to fast-track all efforts to draft a Memorandum of Understanding that will cover all issues discussed by the parties, especially in reducing illiteracy.
During his meeting with Gaber, H.E. Huwaireb talked about MBRF’s initiatives and strategic alliances aimed at increasing the cooperation among Arab states in knowledge exchange, which is vital to promoting quality and excellence on all sectors. This is in line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Gaber highlighted the growing Egyptian-UAE relations and that MBRF plays a key role in strengthening these relations by spreading knowledge and preparing today’s generations for the future in terms of work opportunities amid rapid technological developments and global challenges.
The two parties agreed to build an Egyptian knowledge community through MBRF’s initiatives such as the Global Knowledge Index and "The Future of Knowledge: A Foresight Report".
