KOICA Hosts Partner Organization Workshop in Cair
• KOICA Strengthens Ties with Egyptian Universities to Upskill Tourism Workforce Through Korean Language Training
Nessma Youssef
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), South Korea’s official development assistance agency, has held the ‘2024 KOICA WFK (World Friends Korea) Program Partner Organization workshop.” The workshop took place in Pyramisa-Suites Hotel in Cairo on 23 May, 2024.
It brought together Egyptian partner organizations and representatives that are devoted to tourism development in Egypt, namely the Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotels-Luxor (EGOTH), Suez Canal University, Helwan University, University of Sadat City, and Bibliotheca Alexandria with KOICA country director and WFK program team and KOICA volunteers.
The workshop aimed to enhance collaboration between KOICA and the tourism faculties of universities and relevant entities in Cairo and various governorates including, Ismailia, Luxor, Alexandria, etc by dispatching Korean language instruction volunteers. Its primary objective is to provide students and communities the opportunity to learn and understand the Korean language and culture and to promote their skills and knowledge in demand in the tourism sectors and relevant industries.
The workshop featured comprehensive presentations covering the introduction of the KOICA WFK volunteer program, the volunteer deployment process to various institutions, and the required documentation and procedures. The KOICA volunteers who are conducting Korean language education at EGOTH and Misr Public Library in Luxor also participated in this workshop, sharing their activities, On-Site Activities and Projects, and achievements from their activities. This enhanced the understanding of the participants.
During her remarks, Dr. Salma Yousry, the Minister of Higher Education’s Advisor for Higher Education expressed appreciation for the initiative, recognizing KOICA as a crucial partner for Egypt and affirming the commitment to long-term collaboration. She underscored the significance of adhering to procedures for each activity to ensure productive cooperation with KOICA, especially in the tourism sector.
For his part, Dr. Saleh Mohamed Abdel Moaty, Dean of The Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotels, expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude for the contributions of the volunteer, Mr. Park. Dr. Moaty also expressed keen interest in on-site projects and expects additional volunteers. Furthermore, he strongly emphasized his commitment to ongoing cooperation with KOICA.
During her speech, Ms. Jin-young Kim, the Country Director of the KOICA Egypt Office, expressed her gratitude to all participants and emphasized the commitment to expanding partnerships and strengthening cooperation with each institution. She anticipated vibrant and substantial interactions and contributions to developing the tourism sector in Egypt by more actively engaging the Korean volunteers with Egyptian youth.
Notably, this workshop represents a significant milestone in fostering mutual support and sharing expertise between Korea and Egypt, with the common objective of enhancing the tourism landscape through educational and volunteer exchanges. The event serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts to build bridges between nations and highlights the positive impact of international aid and cooperation in education and industry development
KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) is a Korean government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dedicated to implementing grant aid programs aiming to combat poverty and support sustainable socio-economic growth in developing countries around the world. KOICA Egypt Office, established in 1998, provides technical education for youths in Egypt, supports the digitalization of government services and systems, and carries out programs to address gender-based violence, strengthen women’s empowerment, and support vulnerable groups.
