Transport Minister Witnesses Graduation of 126 Specialized Railway Personnel at Werdan Complex

Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir attended the graduation ceremony of two new batches from the Higher Institute of Transport Technology at the Werdan Technological Complex. The inspection tour followed the ceremony, covering the graduation projects exhibition, specialized laboratories and workshops, and the psychometric assessment center.

Graduation Numbers and Specializations

The total number of graduates reached 126 students, divided between 66 holders of the post-secondary technical diploma and 60 holders of a bachelor's degree in technology. Specializations covered railway signaling control systems technology and mobile units mechanics technology.

The fourth batch received the technological bachelor's degree, while the sixth batch obtained the post-secondary technical diploma. This graduation falls within the Ministry of Transport's plan to develop technological education and link it to practical training and labor market requirements.

Human Capital Development

The minister emphasized that human capital development represents one of the most important pillars of railway development, stressing that modernizing the system can't be complete without qualified personnel capable of operation, maintenance, and safety preservation. The Werdan complex began construction in 1968, with training operations starting in 1970.

The numbers speak for themselves: approximately 49,465 trainees were trained between 2015 and 2025. The Higher Institute of Transport Technology has also produced around 556 graduates since its establishment in 2021 through 2026.

Academic Degree Accreditation

The minister noted that both the technological bachelor's degree and the post-secondary technical diploma are now accredited by the Supreme Council of Universities. This accreditation strengthens the status of technological education and links it to labor market needs.

El-Wazir stressed the importance of continuous training throughout one's professional life, along with instilling discipline, lifelong learning, and a sense of responsibility. These values serve as fundamental pillars for working within the railway sector.

175 Years of Egyptian Railways

The celebration coincided with the 175th anniversary of the establishment of Egyptian railways, where the minister confirmed that Egypt possesses the oldest railway network in Africa and the Middle East, and the second oldest in the world. The railway development plan relies on six main axes, including rolling stock development, infrastructure, signaling systems, production workshops, and human capital.