Egypt: Egypt is set to launch seven applied technology schools specializing in the steel industry and mechatronics in the 2026/2027 academic year. This initiative is a result of a tripartite partnership involving the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, Ezz Steel, and Italy's Danieli. The schools will be located in Alexandria, Suez, and Menoufia, and are part of a broader strategy to enhance applied technology education through collaborations with the private sector and international bodies.According to State Information Service Egypt, the objective of this initiative is to equip students with the necessary technological and practical skills required by both local and international labor markets. The curriculum will align with the latest industrial and technical standards. The schools involved in this initiative include Al-Sadat and Menouf schools in Menoufia Governorate, Al-Salam, Al-Mostaqbal, and 24 October schools in Suez Governorate, and Al-Wardian and Moharam Bek schools in Alexandria Govern orate.The Ministry of Education has indicated that the schools will follow an educational model that integrates academic study with practical training within an actual industrial environment. This model combines classroom learning with hands-on training, thereby preparing students effectively for the workforce. Students will receive training under advanced technical education systems and earn internationally recognized certificates.This development forms part of the Egyptian government's larger strategy to revamp technical education and align it with economic and industrial development needs. The Applied Technology Schools network, which incorporates international standards in teaching and curricula, has expanded rapidly since its inception in 2018. By September 2025, nearly one million students were enrolled in various technical schools, and plans are underway to convert more institutions into applied technology or dual-education institutions.The collaboration with Italy extends beyond the steel indust ry. In November 2025, Egypt and Italy signed agreements to establish 89 new Applied Technology Schools covering multiple specializations. Additionally, 26 Egyptian-Italian schools for applied agricultural technology will begin accepting students in the 2026/2027 academic year, in collaboration with Italy's ITSAgro Academy and the Future of Egypt Authority for Sustainable Development.This expansion represents a concerted effort by the Egyptian government to position technical education as a viable pathway to employment, higher education, and industrial advancement. In a significant move, the Supreme Council of Universities approved in June 2025 that graduates from certain technical and applied technology schools can apply to faculties of computer science and AI, broadening higher education opportunities for vocational students.