iMOVE-Ghorfa German Arab Education and Vocational Training Forum

"Those who invest in vocational training and continuing education set the course for the future“, stated Professor Dr. Annette Schavan, the Federal Minister of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the 1st German-Arab Education and Vocational Training Forum.

iMOVE and the Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised and hosted the Forum from May 6-7, 2009 in Berlin. According to the Minister, in so doing, “iMOVE and Ghorfa have taken the initiative to facilitate discussions and meetings between German and Arab experts in the field of vocational training and education“.

With this Forum, iMOVE and Ghorfa are continuing their strategic cooperation in the field of vocational training and education which began at the end of 2008 in Amman with the conference "Building a German-Arab Partnership in Skills Development".

Apart from presentations and panel discussions, the Forum also included a visit to Siemens Technikakademie and provided matchmaking opportunities for vocational training suppliers and potential clients.

The positive response of the over 250 participants, without exception, underscores the objective set by the hosts, namely to organise this Forum on an annual basis from now on, thus creating a central platform for German-Arab cooperation in vocational training and education.

In her keynote address, the Federal Minister of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany, the patron of the event, described the Forum as an expression of the growing confidence and trust in the cooperation between Germany and the Arab countries. She challenged the attendees to use education as a confidence-building measure and to invest in education in response to the global financial crisis, in order to secure and sustain the opportunities for future generations.

During the opening of the Forum, all of the speakers underscored the wonderful development of German-Arab relations to date.

Sabine Gummersbach-Majoroh, Director, iMOVE, referred to education as a topic that “moves and challenges”. She called upon all attendees to use this event to initiate and nurture business relations. She also emphasized the excellent reputation the German education system enjoys in the Arab world, as well as the significant potential for cooperation in the field of vocational training and education associated therewith.

Volker Rieke of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany pointed out that, internationally, education is a key to securing a functioning economy and social stability, particularly during times of global financial crisis. He emphasized that Germany, by increasing its investment in education and research, provides a clear answer to the crisis.

Ghorfa-President, Dr. Thomas Bach, cited key concepts, exchange and confidence building as significant factors in furthering successful cooperation in the field of vocational training and education. He stressed the close correlation between training and education and economic well-being in a society.

S.E. Professor Dr. Ossama Abdulmajed Ali Shobokshi, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Federal Republic of Germany, summarized the development phases of the education system in his homeland to date, which are representative of education initiatives in the Arab countries.

He pleaded the case for intensified strategic partnership with employers and a change in awareness within the population with respect to the significance of vocational training and education, in order to create a sustainable and effective education system.

Developments and Prospects for Education Initiatives

Diplomats and company representatives from Syria, Sudan and Yemen, as well as the Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Abdul Nabi Mussayab, discussed the opportunities for young people and for the economy in the Arab world, which arise through improved vocational training and education.

Now that the average number of school years has clearly increased in the Arab world, the cry for quality improvement in education is getting stronger all the time.

Politics – along with international support – should create appropriate structures and shape these strategically, so that they are organizationally efficient and adapted to the special needs of the economy as well as the trainees. To that end, the channels of knowledge transfer from Germany to the Arab countries should be strengthened as well.

Furthermore, a more intense economical, technological and cultural exchange is called for. Exemplary and trend-setting programs to educate women, for example, have tremendous developmental potential. The prospects of returning to their homeland must be awarded graduates of education systems abroad.

Representatives of the German Education System presented initiatives and measures from school, vocational training, higher learning and life-long learning. Among other things, the qualifying initiative of the Federal Government of Germany, which includes all areas of education, was presented. In so doing, the differences in problem situations compared with the Arab world came to light - these are a result of other types of economic and demographic developments.

In order to make "education, the only raw material Germany has in abundance“, more readily available, the image of vocational training must be enhanced and vocational/job orientation should be firmly anchored in the schools. Furthermore, suitable measures should be in place so that success in training and education is not based on social background, nor enthusiasm and interest in MINT-subjects (mathematics, information technology, the sciences and technology) gender-based. The successful cooperation between public and private sectors is emphasized as a significant prerequisite for the effectiveness of vocational training.

Successful Cooperation in University Education and Vocational Training

German and Arab professionals of higher learning presented success stories for know-how transfer and the founding of new educational institutions in Arab countries such as the German University Cairo and the German University of Technology in Oman.

The experts stressed the importance of recourse to German training and educational competence, along with close cooperation with industry, for the success of these institutions. They also emphasized that flexibility and adaptability to local conditions are equally important.

Problems such as unsatisfactory motivation to learn and the lack of English on the part of the students, bureaucracy, a paucity of educators and trainers and inadequate support from the European industry were also discussed, as well as setting up a bicultural course of studies and double academic degrees.

German vocational training and education providers presented examples of successful collaboration in vocational training and continuing education in the Arab world.

Current labour market situations, training requirements and predominant systems of vocational training and education in Egypt and the Gulf States were also discussed.

From an entrepreneurial perspective, there are many reasons to work in the Arab world – not only because the interest is there, but also because of the effort on the part of regional Governments to promote personnel qualifications through new programs.

At the conclusion of the Forum, German and Arab education experts underscored the mutual openness for cooperation that has developed, along with the overwhelming interest in implementing these plans, which have been in the works for a long time now. To that end, greater realization that the profit gained from training and education far outweighs the investment is still required.

In closing, the Arab representatives as well as Ghorfa Secretary General Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi, emphasized that German products stand for reliability in the Arab world; this also radiates to German vocational training and education services:

"Today, the Arab world looks to Europe with much greater interest than to America. One should take advantage of these optimum conditions.”