Cairo: As part of the Egyptian state’s efforts to qualify national cadres according to the highest international standards, the first three laboratories for international language tests in Egypt were accredited at East Port Said Technology University. These laboratories are the first Egyptian university laboratories to receive international accreditation for TOEIC, TOEFL, and PIPPLET tests through the Amideast International Organization. This accreditation is a result of the “Licensing Academies for Practicing Professions Abroad” project, a venture of the Education Development Fund under the Prime Minister’s Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the “Alliance and Development” Foundation.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Dr. Medhat El-Hadek, President of East Port Said Technology University, welcomed a delegation from the Education Development Fund, led by Dr. Rasha Saad Sharaf, the Fund’s Secretary-General. The delegation included Abdel Magid Mohamed, Financial and Administrative Director, and Dr. Maha Salah, Director of International Relations. A delegation from Amideast, responsible for the accreditation process, also participated, represented by Diana Koutnian, Test Manager, and Engineer Karim Hamdy, Director of Business Sector Partnerships. The visit was attended by Sheikh Salman Amer, a tribal leader from Sinai, Dr. Yasmin Abdel-Moaty, Deputy Dean of the College of Hotel and Tourism Services Technology, and Ibrahim Azam, Secretary-General of the university.
During a tour of the laboratories, Dr. Fathy Nouh, responsible for the qualification of the laboratories, showcased the technical, technological, and human resources that have been prepared within the laboratories. He emphasized that all accreditation requirements have been fulfilled regarding technological infrastructure, safety, and quality standards, making them ready to serve students and applicants from Port Said, North Sinai, and surrounding areas in over forty languages.
Dr. Rasha Saad Sharaf highlighted the accreditation as a significant step in the state’s vision to equip Egyptian youth with global competitive tools, primarily language proficiency. This project reflects the Fund’s dedication to providing advanced educational infrastructure, considering geographical justice, and supporting sustainable development goals while linking technical and technological education to international job market demands.
She further stated that this achievement marks the start of a comprehensive national plan by the Fund to qualify and accredit similar language laboratories in various universities and technological institutes across Egypt. This initiative supports 40 foreign languages and aims to enhance the international job prospects for Egyptian youth across multiple sectors.