Egypt has commenced trial operations at the Cheng He – Egypt Institute for Smart Railway Signal Control, a state-of-the-art training facility created through a strategic partnership between Egypt’s Higher Institute of Transport Technology, China’s AVIC International, and the Nanjing Institute of Railway Science.
The project reflects the government’s commitment, led by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel Al-Wazir, to modernize transport infrastructure and enhance technical education. Mohamed Amer, Chairperson of the Egyptian National Railways, has been tasked with overseeing this reform, focusing on skills development and technological advancement.
Innovation hub
The institute aims to serve as a regional hub for smart signaling training and supports Egypt’s broader vision of modernizing its rail network with Chinese expertise. The trial launch brought together key representatives from Egypt’s rail and education sectors, as well as Chinese institutions, signaling strong international cooperation.
The academic programme designed under this collaboration includes coursework split between Egypt and China, culminating in dual qualifications a Bachelor’s degree from Egypt and a Technological Diploma from China. In addition to academic exchange, the institute is investing in modern training labs, simulators, and capacity building for Egyptian educators and technicians.
This initiative is part of the Ministry of Transport’s wider strategy to overhaul technical education, boost knowledge transfer, and align with global advances in smart rail technology particularly in electric traction systems. Ultimately, this cross-border collaboration underlines Egypt’s drive to build a smart, efficient, and sustainable transportation future grounded in world-class education and innovation.