P-Tech Initiative
The Ministry of Education & Technical Education, in collaboration with Al Alfi Foundation and IBM, launched the first Pathways in Technology Early College High-School (P-TECH) education model in Egypt to address the digital skills shortage in 2019. The P-TECH framework aims to create technical and professional educational opportunities for Egyptian students by providing them with the skills and experience for tech-related “new collar” jobs, which involve technologies such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, digital design, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
Students participate in a range of workplace experiences, including mentorship, worksite visits and paid internships. Upon completion of the five-year integrated learning curriculum, students have the academic and professional skills required to either continue their education in a four-year postsecondary institution or enter into entry-level careers in IT, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and other competitive fields.
Al Alfi Foundation signed a protocol with the Ministry outlining the Foundation’s role in this initiative. As part of the scope of activities, Al Alfi Foundation trained school teachers and administrators on ICT, personal, and pedagogical and educational skills development.
P-TECH represents the best of what public-private partnerships can look like, with students taking high school and college coursework simultaneously and engaging in industry-guided workforce development. The program offers a seamless pathway from high school to college completion and career readiness, with a clear goal to prepare young people for academic achievement and economic opportunity.
Teachers Try Science – IBM Collaborative Project for Science Teachers
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, Al Alfi Foundation collaborated with IBM to upgrade the teaching skills of 1,200 primary and preparatory school teachers from Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura, Menoufia, Port Said, Ismailia, Tanta, Beni Suef, and Damietta.
The main aim of the project was to train science teachers and to bring best practices in design-based learning to schools. This type of learning gives teachers the flexibility to facilitate and enable students to synthesize skills from a variety of disciplines and integrate them into learning activities. Design-based learning goes further in challenging students to engineer solutions through their knowledge of STEM disciplines.
As part of the program, teachers were trained on using the “Teachers Try Science” website to create lesson plans and publish them online. The website provides free engaging lessons along with teaching strategies and resources designed to spark student interest in science. It also acts as a collaboration tool to enable teachers to discuss and share effective instructional practices.
IT Academy Program – Microsoft Collaboration
Al Alfi Foundation cooperated with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education and Microsoft to create eight IT academies for the 23 Millennium Schools. As a Microsoft Academic Service Partner, Al Alfi Foundation provided the schools with all the technical skills and learning resources to train administrators and school leaders on how to effectively manage, implement and run the IT academy programme.
A significant achievement of this program is the training and certification of over 500 teachers. These educators successfully passed the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam, gaining MCE certification credentials. This milestone underscores the effectiveness of the program in enhancing the teachers’ technological proficiency. Moreover, the program’s impact extends to students, with over 500 of them earning the Microsoft Office User Specialist certification, demonstrating the program’s comprehensive reach.
Additionally, the Innovative Teacher Training for Educators program was a critical component of this initiative. It focused on equipping teachers with the necessary skills to utilize the latest Microsoft technologies in their teaching. This specialized 5-day training program was designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical IT skills, culminating in many teachers passing the MCE exam and obtaining their certification.
Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
The collaboration between Al Alfi Foundation and Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth (CTY), which began in September 2010, marked the establishment of Al Alfi Center for Talent Development, which was instrumental in identifying and nurturing gifted students in STEM subjects, offering a range of challenging enrichment opportunities and support services. This laid a strong foundation for Al Alfi Foundation’s continued efforts in STEM education in Egypt.
The partnership focused on a five-year plan to identify, nurture, and enhance the skills of these talented individuals. A key element of this initiative was a three-day workshop that brought together a diverse group of Egyptian educational professionals, including representatives from schools, universities, science centers, and the Ministry of Education. The workshop’s main goal was to evaluate and discuss the international models of CTY and the educational opportunities provided by CTYOnline.
During the workshop, participants shared their visions for the future of gifted education in Egypt by 2016. Key objectives included creating a specialized learning environment for gifted students designed to be stimulating, supportive of higher-level learning, and tailored to their unique needs. Another focus was raising awareness among parents and teachers about gifted students’ specific needs and potential. Educating these essential stakeholders was seen as critical to fostering supportive home and school environments. The participants also highlighted the need for strategic collaborations with various institutes and organizations to share gifted education resources, expertise, and best practices.
