Transport minister: New Alamein emerging as regional education, innovation hub

CAIRO – 21 August 2026: Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir said on Friday, August 21, 2026, that New Alamein City has emerged as an integrated smart city and a regional hub for education, innovation and scientific research, in addition to its status as a world-class urban and tourism destination.

Wazir made the remarks during an inspection tour of the New Alamein branch of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), where he reviewed its advanced educational, technological and medical facilities and its role in preparing qualified professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to keep pace with global developments and meet labor market demands.

The minister began his tour by inspecting the College of Artificial Intelligence and its state-of-the-art laboratories and educational technology applications. He also toured the teaching hospital and dental clinics, where he was briefed on the medical and educational services provided.

The teaching hospital receives more than 200 residents of New Alamein daily and provides them with free medical treatment as part of the academy’s community service efforts, according to the minister.

Wazir also reviewed the hospital’s latest medical equipment before visiting the College of Engineering and Technology to examine its advanced educational and research facilities.

The minister praised the high standard of the AASTMT branch in New Alamein, citing its advanced infrastructure and modern educational, medical and technological facilities.

He said the academy represents a leading model for integrating education, scientific research and practical applications, helping prepare professionals capable of driving development across various sectors, particularly transport, logistics, engineering, artificial intelligence and medical sciences.

He said the rapid development of New Alamein reflects the success of the Egyptian state’s vision to establish integrated smart cities that extend beyond urban development to encompass education, scientific research, healthcare, industry and services, positioning the city as one of the Middle East’s most promising urban centers.

Wazir added that the presence of a prestigious institution such as AASTMT in New Alamein provides significant added value and reinforces the city’s position as a regional hub for education, innovation and scientific research, alongside its status as a global tourism and investment destination.

He stressed that investment in modern education and advanced technology is the most important investment in the future and a cornerstone of developing Egyptian human capital and preparing professionals capable of innovation, creativity and leading the country's major national projects.

The minister further affirmed that Egypt, under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, is pursuing an ambitious strategy to advance education and scientific research as foundations for sustainable development and to prepare generations capable of competing regionally and internationally and keeping pace with rapid industrial and technological advances.

For his part, AASTMT President Ismail Abdel Ghafar Farag reviewed the capabilities of the New Alamein branch, describing it as the academy’s newest branch.

The branch, which spans 62 feddans, began operations in 2019 and comprises nine colleges: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Technology, Management and Technology, International Transport and Logistics, and Graduate Studies in Management.

Farag said the branch has more than 4,000 enrolled students and has already graduated three cohorts from the colleges of Artificial Intelligence, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Management, and International Transport and Logistics.

The first cohort of the College of Medicine is scheduled to graduate this year, he added.

He said the continued growth of the branch reflects its role in producing qualified graduates according to the highest international academic standards.

Concluding the visit, Wazir affirmed that the state would continue to support outstanding educational institutions, stressing that human development is the foundation of building the New Republic.

He added that investment in education, scientific research and technology is essential to sustaining development, enhancing Egypt’s competitiveness and preparing generations with the knowledge and skills needed to shape the future and achieve the goals of Egypt’s comprehensive and sustainable development vision.