The American University in Cairo Launches Leadership for Government Excellence Program

In May 2019, the American University in Cairo signed an MOU with the National Management Institute at the Ministry of Planning, marking the launch of a multi-year strategic partnership to offer executive and professional training to the Egyptian government’s leaders, officials and employees across all ministries.

Leadership for Government Excellence is a tripartite program between the Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform, the American University in Cairo (AUC), and King’s College UK. The program aims to provide personal awareness, organizational impact, and system alignment to enable select government leaders to transform their organizations.

AUC Provost Ehab Abdel Rahman explained that the program aims to increase the efficiency of government through investing in human resources, competence building and talent development in the public sector.

Minister Hala El Said additionally pointed out that the program comes within the framework of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 and the Administrative Reform Plan by creating an efficient and effective administrative system.

The program is modeled so that each cohort, consisting of 30 participants, receives an overall three months of training encompassing two months at the American University in Cairo and one month at King’s College, in addition to a final graduation project. 

From day one of the program, participants from the different ministries are divided into groups that continue to work together for the duration of the program on their graduation project. Each group applies knowledge gained through the program in innovative and feasible projects that their respective ministries can implement in the New Capital.

The program provides a holistic outlook on the government of Egypt, a deep delve into public policy and stakeholder engagement, and a solid understanding of different management topics including: strategic management, effective communication, leadership and institutional reform, while also looking at comparative government systems, government in the age of machines and public sector management.

Currently, four cohorts are running simultaneously catering to the development needs of 120 participants. Following the completion of the program, an alumni community will be created by AUC to keep participants engaged and act as a forum for knowledge sharing.

The American University in Cairo has contributed to the intellectual growth and character of the future leaders of Egypt and the region for over a century. It is with this pledge that the university is both honored and grateful to partake in the development of the handpicked leadership team that will pioneer the new administrative capital.