Sky Ports and AASTMT’s College of Engineering and Technology Sign Cooperation Protocol to Boost Training, Innovation, and Employment
In a step aimed at bridging academic studies and scientific research with real-world professional expertise, and expanding employment opportunities for young graduates, Sky Ports Group, Egypt’s leading cargo handling and stevedoring company, has signed a cooperation protocol with the College of Engineering and Technology at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT).
The protocol was signed on the sidelines of the 15th International MARLOG Conference, a leading event focused on smart transport, infrastructure, and logistics in the Middle East and Africa. The conference is held under the patronage of the League of Arab States and in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Transport, and highlights the future of global supply chains through smart, flexible logistics corridors and integration between ports and industrial zones.
Under the agreement, Sky Ports Group and the College of Engineering and Technology will collaborate across education, scientific research, and industry, marking a qualitative leap in cooperation between a leading logistics and ports operator and a distinguished academic institution. This partnership is expected to have a direct and positive impact on the labor market in the maritime and logistics sectors.
The protocol focuses on providing employment opportunities for graduates, supporting graduation projects, offering engineering consultancy services, and establishing a Research, Development, and Innovation Center. It also includes simulator-based training programs to enhance the technical capabilities of Sky Ports employees, while strengthening knowledge exchange between academia and industry.
Commenting on the agreement, Tarek Hussein, Chairman of Sky Ports Group, said:
“Collaboration between the private sector and academic institutions represents a continuous opportunity for development worldwide. At Sky Ports, we are pleased to launch this cooperation with the College of Engineering and Technology at AASTMT to provide training and employment opportunities for outstanding graduates and to work together in areas such as development and innovation. This partnership will enhance technological advancement, increase the operational efficiency of ports and logistics, and contribute to Egypt’s efforts to become a global logistics hub.”
For his part, Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, stated:
“Cooperation with the private sector offers a unique opportunity to link the latest technological advancements with practical market needs, allowing students to gain hands-on experience at an early stage. This approach produces graduates who are fully prepared for the labor market. Moreover, collaboration between academic experts and Sky Ports through the Research, Development, and Innovation Center will improve operational mechanisms, tools, and methodologies, positively impacting performance indicators and supporting the Egyptian economy as a whole.”
AASTMT is a specialized educational institution affiliated with the League of Arab States, focusing on maritime transport sciences, technology, and engineering, with a mission centered on education, training, and scientific research.
Sky Ports Group operates a smart, sustainable, multi-purpose terminal at East Port Said Port, specializing in dry bulk cargo handling. The terminal has achieved record operational performance in line with—and exceeding—global benchmarks. During its trial operation year, the terminal significantly reduced vessel turnaround times and handled more than 10 million tons of cargo, contributing to lower transportation costs, enhanced competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets, and reduced production costs.