Deputy Minister of Housing Concludes Training Program for Water and Sanitation Engineers in Upper Egypt

-zDr. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities for Infrastructure Affairs, attended the closing ceremony of a training program aimed at enhancing the skills of engineers and specialists in contracts and procurement within water and sanitation companies in Upper Egypt. This program was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Housing, the African Development Bank, and the American University in Cairo (AUC).

In his speech, Dr. Ismail expressed gratitude to all participants and emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge and concepts gained during the training. He encouraged the trainees to share their newly acquired expertise with colleagues to improve the overall performance of water and sanitation companies. Dr. Ismail stressed that continuous learning and capacity building are essential for shifting the focus from problem management to solution management, thus enhancing the utility of water and sanitation projects.

He also highlighted the coordinated efforts between the ministry, the AUC, and the African Development Bank to ensure the success of the program. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to invest in human resources and to achieve the objectives of the Integrated Sanitation Services Program in rural areas of Upper Egypt, particularly in Luxor.

Dr. Lotfy Jaafar, Dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering at AUC, underscored the program’s impact in improving contract management and construction project management practices. He encouraged the continuous application of the training outcomes in professional settings.

Abdel Rahman Diaw, Regional Director of the African Development Bank, praised the program’s effectiveness in advancing the skills of participants in water and sanitation companies. He also commended the implementation progress of the Integrated Sanitation Services Program in rural areas of Upper Egypt. Diaw acknowledged the strong support from the Ministry of Housing and its Project Management Unit, which has been crucial in achieving the program’s objectives in coordination with the Luxor Water and Sanitation Company and implementation contractors.

At the ceremony’s conclusion, Dr. Ismail and the African Development Bank’s Regional Director awarded certificates to 40 trainees from the water and sanitation companies of Luxor, Qena, Aswan, and Beni Suef. The event was attended by company heads, ministry representatives, members of the Project Management Unit, the Dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering, Dr. Samer Ezz El-Din, Professor of Construction Engineering at AUC, and Dr. Hossam Qabbani, Executive Director at AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering.