Exporting project-based learning to Egypt

​​This week a group of Egyptian university and VET-school staff members has got to know Kupittaa campus area. The group participated in a pedagogical and management training organized by Brahea Centre at the University of Turku and Machine Technology Center Turku. The aim of the training was to encourage the university and VET-school teachers to use project-based learning on mechanical disciplines.

- Project-based learning is student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which it is believed that students acquire deeper knowledge through the active exploration of real-world challenges and problems, tells Timo Halttunen, one of the teachers of the training.

- The training focused e.g. on, how pedagogical tools, like scripting and sequencing, can be used in project management, training coordinator Vesa Hautala continues.

Project-based learning facilitates the shift to working life

The participants of the training were teachers and staff members of Ain Shans, Aswan and Nile University, GB Academy and Ghabbour Foundation Vocational School.

- Project-based learning is very new to Egypt. Most of the education is based on classical instruction and examination. However, I have been practicing project-based learning as a part of master’s courses I was teaching. Most importantly, it has been practiced through the challenges and competitions where students get to work on projects, tells Heba Labib from the Nile University.

Mostafa Abdelaziz who works as a teacher at Ghabbour Foundation Vocational School considers the project-based learning being useful for students especially after graduation.

- As the students graduate e.g. from automotive schools, they will work and co-operate with engineers. The project-based learning helps to close the gap between the VET-students and university students.

Importance of soft skills is emphasized

The training dealt with various themes e.g. soft skills, good communication as a basis for effective project management, cooperation between organizations and teacher in multidisciplinary projects, and role of evaluations in student projects. Especially, the soft skills provided food for thought.

- Soft skills are personal attributes needed to succeed in the workplace. These skills include e.g. communication, leadership and teamwork skills, revises Halttunen.

Heba Labib and Mostafa Abdelaziz are both in opinion that practicing soft skills is important for the Egyptians.

- Students of natural sciences and engineering are usually the most studious and serious students. At the same time, many of them lack the soft skills. All in all, Egyptians are hard- working, smart and sincere about their work. However, lacking the soft skills and the integration with the different team members in teamwork and leadership is what is holding our country back as these skills are needed globally, states Heba Labib.

The participants were content with the training. Mostafa Abdelaziz feels that he has gathered practical experience on practicing soft skills during the training.

- We apply the softs skills as we communicate with others, with new people with different backgrounds. I think it is very important to our students to get these soft skills. Not only the teachers but also the students.

- I think we have a very strong education in Egypt when it comes to the scientific content but we really lack the soft skills part. Via project-based learning and adopting the soft skills, we are strongly amending our educational system, tells Heba Labib.

The training is part of a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The training continues in December-January in Egypt.

Text and photo: Johanna Monnonen