The EES helps advance the skills of Egyptian professionals

On Thursday 13 February 2025, a formal ceremony was held to honour the successful trainees from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) who completed their English language training under the British Council. This initiative was led by the Egypt Exploration Society (EES) with generous support from the British Council.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in collaboration with the British Council and the Egypt Exploration Society, organised this event to mark the completion of English language training for over 150 employees from the Ministry and its affiliated bodies. The training took place from November 2023 to December 2024, under the supervision of the Human Resources Development, Training, and Efficiency Raising Unit at the Minister’s Office, in cooperation with the British Council and in coordination with the Egypt Exploration Society.

This initiative reflects a commitment to strengthening the partnership and cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the British Council, with the support of the Egypt Exploration Society. The training programme aimed to enhance the English language proficiency of Ministry employees, particularly those specialising in the field of archaeology, to support their professional development and improve their communication skills in an international context.

During the ceremony, certificates of completion were awarded to the trainees by:

• Ms Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
• Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities
• Dr Hesham El-Leithy, Head of the Antiquities Preservation and Registration Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities
• Dr Ahmed Rahima, Assistant Minister for Human Resources Development and General Supervisor of the Central Training Unit at the Minister’s Office
• Dr Essam Nagy, Fieldwork and Engagement Manager of the Egypt Exploration Society
• Dr Donia Hassan, Deputy Director of the British Council in Egypt
• Ms Iman Diaa, Director of the Excellence and Training Department at the Cultural Council at the Regional Level
• Mr Kevin Maclaven, Director of the British Council Training Centers in Africa and the Middle East

In his speech, Dr Essam Nagy emphasised the Egypt Exploration Society’s commitment to supporting the professional development of antiquities professionals in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities. He highlighted the Society’s efforts in organising English language training programmes in partnership with the British Council, as well as specialised technical training in archaeology, conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' training departments. The event has since been publicised by Egyptian platforms such as Youm El Sabee, Rosa Elyoussef, Almasry Alyoum and Atharmasr.

This event underscores the ongoing dedication of all partners to advancing the skills and expertise of professionals working in the field of antiquities, ensuring their continuous development and contribution to Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.