The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development Launches Third Edition of Premier Executive Education

 Hala El Said: This program provides our leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of today’s economic landscape
Nassef Sawiris: Hosting the third edition of this program in El Gouna underscores our commitment to empowering leaders who are fundamental to Egypt’s economic and social advancement.

Noura Selim: We are proud to offer this transformative experience, which empowers senior executives to drive meaningful change and capitalize on new opportunities.

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development is delighted to announce the launch of the third edition of the “Executive Education Program in El Gouna, Red Sea,” conducted in partnership with Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) and Chicago Booth School of Business. This year’s program will run for 14 days in the picturesque city of El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate, featuring participation from 50 prominent executives from public and private sectors.

The opening ceremony, witnessed the attendance of distinguished figures including Eng. Noura Selim, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation; and Dr. Randall S. Kroszner, Norman R. Bobins Professor of Economics, Chicago Booth School of Business. The event was further honored by the presence of Aneesh Chopra, President of Care Journey and the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States (2009-2012), who enriched the occasion with his keynote address on how technology can transform society.

H.E. Dr. Hala El Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; emphasized the importance of the program, noting the interest of the Ministry in continuing its partnership with the Sawiris Foundation and the University of Chicago to enhance a culture of leadership and sustainable growth. She explained that the program provides leaders with the knowledge necessary to address 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 executives in both the private and public sectors in Egypt to equip them with the necessary skills to adapt to rapid changes and geopolitical challenges.

Dr. Hala El Said also pointed out that the program combines data-driven frameworks and practical applications that accelerate the development of innovative tools and evidence-based decisions to help address development challenges. She explained that the program offers an opportunity for trainees to share knowledge and exchange best practices between sectors, allowing them to communicate, expand their horizons, interact with their counterparts, and work more flexibly.

Dr. Hala El Said stressed the importance of cooperation with prestigious international educational institutions to provide distinguished training programs, noting that around 3600 government employees have been trained abroad so far at King’s College London, the United Nations University in Portugal, Hertie School of Governance in Germany, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government in Dubai, University of Missouri, and Thunderbird School in the United States.

Reflecting on the importance of education, Mr. Nassef Sawiris, Member of Sawiris Foundation and University of Chicago’s Board of Trustees, Honorary President of Orascom Construction PLC and CEO of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI N.V); remarked: “Education remains a cornerstone of the Sawiris Foundation’s mission. Hosting this program in El Gouna reflects our commitment to empowering leaders who are fundamental to Egypt’s economic and social advancement.”

Mr. Nassef ‘s dedication to education has been unwavering, as demonstrated by the Sawiris Foundation’s support for various educational initiatives over the years. Notably, Sawiris Foundation, under Mr. Nassef’s patronage, has supported a student exchange program between Egypt and the University of Chicago, allowing 133 outstanding Egyptian students to pursue studies in economics, political science, or business administration abroad for one year. Additionally, the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship has enabled 96 promising students to study at top-ranked American universities. Furthermore, 10 exceptional students from Ain Shams University have been granted year-long study opportunities at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania.

Expressing his deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership with Chicago Booth, Mr. Nassef added, “They are renowned as a bastion of academic excellence and innovation, with a rich legacy that includes 99 Nobel laureates who have walked its halls. Our collaboration with this esteemed university serves as a testament to our shared commitment to excellence in economics and business administration. As an alumnus myself, I take great pride in our continued partnership and the invaluable opportunities it affords to aspiring leaders.”

He further emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in driving transformative change, stating, “The synergy between the Ministry of Planning and the Sawiris Foundation is crucial for equipping leaders with the competencies needed to address global challenges and advocate for sustainable development. Our combined efforts over the years have empowered executives and leaders who are key to Egypt’s economic and social progress.”

Eng. Noura Selim, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, underscored the profound impact of the Chicago Booth Executive Program in fostering leadership and innovation. She remarked, “The Chicago Booth Program is a powerful catalyst for cultivating innovation and nurturing leadership excellence among Egyptian professionals.”

She added, “The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development is unwavering in its dedication to education and socio-economic development. The third edition of the Chicago Booth Executive Program stands as a testament to our commitment to offering participants a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights and forge sustainable development in Egypt.”

“This program is one of the most exciting and innovative executive education programs I have ever been involved with at Chicago Booth. The idea of bringing together senior leaders in government and the private sector is a model for public-private cooperation to promote growth and prosperity,” said Mr. Kroszner. “I have been extremely impressed with the dedication of the participants in promoting growth and prosperity in Egypt, as well as with the creative, practical, and high-impact proposals they have made as the ‘capstone’ of the program.”
Omar El Hamamsy, Group CEO of Orascom Development, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and esteemed institutions such as Sawiris Foundation and Chicago Booth, in hosting the third edition of this Executive Education Program in El Gouna. As a global developer of integrated towns, we are supportive of engagements that bring immense value to our local economies and communities across our portfolio of destinations. We look forward to a successful round with exceptional knowledge development experience to all participants. “

The Chicago Booth Executive Program, now in its third edition, reflects our commitment to fostering professional networks and driving economic prosperity. This year, the program continues its tradition of sponsoring a select group of distinguished executives from public and private sectors. The curriculum focuses on critical subjects such as economics, management, data science, applied mathematics, and decision-making..

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About Chicago Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago Booth, School of Business is the second oldest business school in the United States, and the first to educate executives. It is a cultural destination that attracts scholars and students worldwide to its Chicago campuses in London and Hong Kong. Chicago Booth is consistently ranked among the top business schools worldwide, and its alumni are some of the most recognized business leaders in the United States and around the world. Nine of its professors have been recognized with Nobel Prizes, in which three still teach at Booth.

About Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD):
SFSD Is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. Established in 2001 by the Sawiris family, SFSD philanthropically promotes and supports innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 23 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of programs aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development in partnership with the governmental and private sectors as well as civil society. By creating thousands of job opportunities, providing quality education, and accessibility to basic services, SFSD has impacted the lives of nearly one million Egyptians in 24 Egyptian governorates, focusing on the most remote villages, with total investments of close to 2.5 billion EGP.