Ministry of Planning Launches Third Edition of Executive Education Program in El Gouna

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development announced the launch of the third edition of the "Executive Education in El Gouna" program, in collaboration with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The program includes the participation of 50 executive leaders from the public and private sectors.

The opening ceremony of the program was attended by H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; businessman Nassef Sawiris, member of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation and the University of Chicago, and Honorary Chairman of Orascom Construction Limited (OCL) and CEO of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) in the Netherlands; Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation; Dr. Mohamed Farid, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority; Engineer Noura Selim, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development; Dr. Randall Kroszner, Professor of Economics at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago; and Aneesh Chopra, President of Care Journey and the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States (2009-2012), as the keynote speaker.

Dr. Hala El-Said emphasized the importance of the program, noting the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development's commitment to continuing its partnership with the Sawiris Foundation and the University of Chicago to foster a culture of leadership and sustainable growth. She explained that the program provides leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape, contributing to the country's economic growth. The program aims to develop leaders' skills towards innovation and effectiveness, targeting senior officials in the Egyptian public and private sectors to equip them with the skills needed to enhance leadership, develop their teams and institutions, and adapt to rapid changes and geopolitical challenges.

The Minister highlighted that the program combines data-driven frameworks with practical applications that accelerate the development of innovative tools and evidence-based decisions to address development challenges. She pointed out that the program offers trainees the opportunity to share knowledge and exchange best practices across sectors, enabling them to network, broaden their horizons, and interact more flexibly with their peers.

Dr. El-Said stressed the importance of collaborating with prestigious international educational institutions to deliver exceptional training programs, mentioning that approximately 3,600 government employees have been trained abroad at King's College London, the United Nations University in Portugal, the Hertie School of Governance in Germany, the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai, Missouri State University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management in the United States.

Commenting on the significance of education, Mr. Nassef Sawiris stated, "Education remains a fundamental pillar of the Sawiris Foundation's goals. Investing in education opens doors of opportunity for the next generation of leaders, which is why we are keen to provide support to distinguished Egyptians and offer them access to world-class education. Hosting this program in El Gouna for the third time reflects our commitment to empowering leaders who are essential to Egypt's economic and social progress."

Nassef Sawiris expressed his deep gratitude for the ongoing partnership with the University of Chicago, a beacon of academic excellence and innovation with a distinguished history that includes 99 Nobel laureates among its alumni. He added, "Our partnership with this prestigious university is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence in economics and business administration. As an alumnus of this esteemed institution, I take immense pride in this continued partnership and the valuable opportunities it provides to ambitious leaders."

He emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in achieving transformative change, saying, "The integration between the Ministry of Planning and the Sawiris Foundation is crucial in equipping leaders with the necessary skills to face global challenges, reaffirming our joint commitment to advancing the economic agenda according to Egypt's Vision 2023 by empowering executive leaders who are the foundation of Egypt's economic and social progress. Witnessing the positive impact of our scholarships over the years, and the rise of outstanding young individuals to prominent positions in government and the private sector, is highly encouraging and inspiring."

Entrepreneur Samih Sawiris, founder of Orascom Development Holding and member of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation, expressed his happiness at hosting the third edition of the Booth School of Business's Executive Education Program in El Gouna, stating, "Hosting the program in El Gouna for the third time is a great honor. El Gouna, with its vibrant and stimulating environment, is the perfect place to foster innovation and excellence. We welcome this year's participants and wish them every success in this exceptional educational journey. I am confident that the knowledge and connections they will gain here will significantly contribute to their professional development and the broader economic landscape in Egypt."

Engineer Noura Selim, Executive Director of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, affirmed the profound impact of this collaboration in achieving positive change, saying, "The partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the University of Chicago Booth reflects our collective commitment to equipping executives and leaders with the skills necessary to meet global challenges and drive sustainable growth." She added, "The Sawiris Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting education, social, and economic development, striving to contribute to a prosperous future for Egypt by empowering individuals and communities to reach their full potential. The third edition of the Booth School of Business Executive Education Program embodies this steadfast commitment, providing participants with a stimulus for innovation and a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights and build sustainable relationships with positive impacts. We are proud to offer this distinguished experience that aims to enhance the capabilities of executive leaders, support them in leading change, and invest in new opportunities while building on successes."

Omar El-Hamamsy, CEO of Orascom Development Group, expressed his pleasure at collaborating with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in Egypt, the Sawiris Foundation, and the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago in hosting the third edition of the Executive Education Program in El Gouna. He explained, "As a global developer of integrated cities, we support initiatives that bring significant value to our local economies and communities. We look forward to another successful edition of the program, offering an exceptional learning experience for all participants."

The Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Education Program targets Egyptian executive leaders and decision-makers, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their fields, contributing to local economic growth through digital transformation and strategic crisis management. This year, the program continues to offer scholarships to outstanding executive leaders from the public and private sectors. The curriculum focuses on vital topics such as economics, management, data science, applied mathematics, and decision-making.