In the last decade, people have started to have a better understanding of what drives development. It is not just labour or capital.
Sustained economic development depends on human development and the progress on both the social and economic fronts. Though today more people are aware of the importance of education and training, the numbers still need to improve and, more importantly, attention must be delivered to the quality of education and training.
We live in a world where competition for ideas has never been greater. The quality of education received by graduates is just as important as the number of years of schooling. The labour market today requires increasingly complex skills in thinking, communicating and technology. The region’s private sector suffers from the shortage of market relevant skills.
To survive in a global market of stiff competition and thin margins, the Middle East will need highly-skilled graduates that can boost its workforce productivity.
The Professional Development Foundation is a small organization, yet it has a large vision. It puts the seeds of training and skills development and aspires to see them grow and flourish in Egypt and the Middle East. I look forward to working with you towards making this vision a reality.
Tamer Badrawi
Secretary General
Professional Development Foundation