Cairo Watch 13 10 2026 Dr Mohamed Kalil

Summary

The segment examines changes in Egypt’s education system since 2013 through an interview with educational consultant Dr. Muhammad Khalil.

Education reforms

Khalil praised increased government funding for education and scientific research. He also highlighted professional development for teachers, arguing that better-prepared teachers can improve education.

He described the introduction of a Baccalaureate system with different tracks, such as business and medicine, as a move away from the traditional secondary-school model. The aim is to give students options better suited to their interests and the job market.

Higher education and employment

Khalil said some outdated, overly theoretical majors have been discontinued, while universities are developing more practical, technology-focused programs to meet domestic and international labor-market needs.

The host cited an increase in the number of universities from 50 in 2013 to 138 in 2026. Khalil said expansion can ease capacity pressures, but the quality and relevance of what universities teach also matter.

Technological universities were presented as a way to prepare graduates for industry. Khalil mentioned fields including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and environmental technologies, noting that new industrial activity in Egypt could create demand for graduates trained in these areas.

A diverse, regionally distributed system

Khalil described the mix of public, private, national, technological, and international universities as giving students with different circumstances and interests more options. He said universities can also support local economic needs—for example, through tourism-related study in Sinai and Sharm El-Sheikh, and industry- or energy-related programs in Upper Egypt.

He emphasized that education is closely tied to economic development. Relevant programs can help graduates find jobs in local industries, enter business, or pursue entrepreneurship.

Tourism report

The segment ends with an introduction to a separate report predicting that Egypt’s tourism revenues could reach US$20 billion and tourist arrivals could reach 20 million by the end of 2026. The figures are attributed to Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy.

Speakers and sources

• Unnamed presenter/host — asks Dr. Khalil about education reforms and introduces the tourism report.
• Dr. Muhammad Khalil — educational consultant and expert, interviewed by phone.
• Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy — quoted in the tourism report introduction.
• Unnamed report narrator — introduces the tourism figures.