Cairo Declaration on International Cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) adopted

The Cairo Declaration on International Cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), supported by 12 Mediterranean countries, including Montenegro, was adopted during the First Mediterranean Technical and Vocational Education Forum and Exhibition (TechSkills Forum) organized in Cairo, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation announced.

As they state, the declaration confirmed a joint commitment to strengthening cooperation through the exchange of experiences and good practices, the development of student and teacher mobility programs, the implementation of joint educational and training programs, the improvement of digital, green and entrepreneurial skills, as well as strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the economy.

"The forum brought together ministers of education, high-ranking officials and representatives of Mediterranean countries with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation in the field of technical and vocational education and skills development, and was opened by Mohamed Abdel-Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education of Egypt, and Giuseppe Valditara, Minister of Education and Merit of Italy. Montenegro was represented by a delegation of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, led by Minister Jakšić-Stojanović. During the forum, the experiences of the participating countries in modernizing vocational education, strengthening partnerships with the economy, and developing educational models focused on the needs of the labor market were presented. Discussions focused on areas of strategic importance for the future, including artificial intelligence, green skills, smart manufacturing, mechatronics, the food industry, tourism, cultural heritage, the textile, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, etc.," they said.

They add that, as part of the forum, an exhibition was also organized, presenting innovative projects, technological solutions and examples of good practice in the field of vocational education, but also that special emphasis was placed on connecting education and the economy, developing practical training and improving the employability of young people.

"A significant segment of the event was the active participation of young people, and presentations and demonstrations of student projects were also organized, as well as meetings of students from different countries with representatives of educational institutions and the economy. Students from the 'Slobodan Škerović' Gymnasium also participated in these activities under the mentorship of Professor Tanja Bojić. The forum confirmed the shared belief that investing in human capital and developing the skills of the future are key prerequisites for competitiveness, sustainable development and strengthening cooperation among Mediterranean countries," they conclude.