The Education Ministry inaugurated the country’s first-ever schools dedicated to the pharma industry at the start of the new academic year, seeking to take advantage of the country’s existing pharma manufacturing base and push the industry further. The five new schools are based in Obour, Nasr City, Sixth of October, Helwan, and Borg El Arab and were developed in partnership between the Technological Institute for Pharma Industries in Rome, the Egyptian Drug Authority, and the Health Ministry, according to an Education Ministry statement.

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Applied technology schools are becoming an increasingly important part of the education system in Egypt, with more being built every year. The schools are a relatively new addition in the educational landscape in Egypt, bridging the gap in secondary education between classroom learning and the actual needs of the job market.

The country now has 115 of these schools, according to Education Ministry data, most of which are run under a public-private partnership between the ministry and a private company or companies. Students enrolled in the schools usually have a very clear path to employment from the school’s private sector partner and this partner, in turn, has potential recruits living in the right location and with the right skills.

Egypt is positioning itself as a promising pharma hub, but the industry faces a shortage of skilled workers. The initiative to launch the five pharma-focused schools addresses that gap by meeting rising demand for labor in the sector by allowing students to acquire advanced practical skills in the sector, Central Administration for Technical Education Development head Amr Basila told EnterpriseAM.

The programs are designed to provide students with hands-on experience, Basila explained, with schools located near pharma companies where students will receive training. This enables them to join the local or international workforce immediately after graduation, or pursue higher education to further enhance their expertise.

Italy — one of the world’s largest pharma manufacturers — is contributing with its extensive expertise and technology to the initiative. Students will access training and accredited curricula aligned with global standards, under the supervision of the Egyptian education and health ministries.

Students will receive two diplomas — an Egyptian one after three years, and an Italian one after five years. This dual system opens potential for graduates in both domestic and global job markets.

The industry is growing rapidly, particularly in derivatives and meds for chronic diseases such as cancer and insulin, as well as other industries key to reducing imports and localizing production, Federation of Egyptian Industries’ pharma division head Ali Ouf told EnterpriseAM. The current environment requires both financial and professional support, as well as incentives, to further boost the industry and cut the import bill, Ouf added.

ICYMI- We heard last week that the Madbouly government is preparing a bundle of incentives to attract more investment to the pharma sector. The plan includes measures to resolve long-standing issues like rigid pricing, the high cost of meds registration, and the sector’s reliance on imported active ingredients.

Authorities are pushing to expand applied schools in priority industries, a source at the Education Ministry told EnterpriseAM. The number of such schools is expected to reach 200 within the next two years to better align education with labor market needs, we were told.

Your top education stories for the week:

  • Global construction and development player Innovo will establish the country’s first Innovo Applied Technology School, under an MoU inked with the National Academy for Science and Skills and Singapore’s ITE Education Services. (Statement, pdf)
  • Higher education company Taaleem Management Services has officially opened Memphis University in East Cairo — its third institution nationwide. The university is kicking off the 2025-2026 academic year with faculties of medicine and business administration. (Statement, pdf)
  • The Education Ministry and the Educational Center of the Bavarian Economy will cooperate on technical education and vocational training, under an agreement to develop a strategic partnership inked between the two. (Statement)
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