AUC and Apache Corporation Support Teacher Training in Giza, Minya and Fayoum

The American University in Cairo (AUC) and Apache Corporation announced recently the launch of the third phase of the Teacher Training Program in community schools in Fayoum governorate. The Teacher Training Program, which was first launched this year in Giza and Minya governorates, aims to empower teachers with the essential knowledge and skills to provide quality education to students in community schools. These schools provide primary education and offer an alternative model of learning for students in areas that lack school infrastructure. The program is designed and implemented by AUC’s School of Continuing Education (SCE).

The official signing ceremony of the partnership between the University and Apache was held last Thursday at AUC’s New Cairo Campus.

The program trains approximately 400 teachers and 200 supervisors in the three governorates, supporting the vision of Egypt’s Ministry of Education and Technical Education with regard to the professionalization of all Egyptian teachers.

“Education is crucial for the future of Egypt and Egyptians, and excellent educators are the key to excellent education,” said David Chi, Region Vice President, Apache Corporation and General Manager, Apache Egypt Companies. “Apache is very pleased to support the training of 600 educators in Springboard (community) schools and very thankful for the partnership of The American University in Cairo and the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Technical Education as they seek to build the capacity of Egyptian educators.”

Chi added that Apache has received “very promising feedback from some teachers who attended the first phase of the program and we are very excited to see the training’s impact in the classrooms.”

 “Apache has always been a leading business and for many years Apache community schools have provided great educational opportunities to students,” said AUC President, Francis Ricciardone, “Apache has touched the lives of Egyptians through its remarkable programs and recently through the Teacher Training program. We, at the American University in Cairo, are grateful for all Apache’s efforts and are proud of this partnership.”

Serving more than 20,000 students per year, SCE, a leading school of continuing education in Egypt and the region, provides certificate programs, noncredit term-length courses and customized courses to fulfill the continuing education needs of individuals and organizations. In Fall 2010, the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) awarded SCE full accreditation, making it the first accredited continuing education school in Egypt.

Apache Corporation has been a strong supporter of AUC’s mission to build a culture of leadership, lifelong learning and professional education. Established in 2010, Apache Corporation Endowed Scholarship provides partial scholarships to academically outstanding Egyptian students majoring in petroleum and energy engineering. Apache has also contributed to AUC Centennial Endowed Scholarship Fund and the AUC Fund.

Since 2004, Apache has built 201 one-room primary schools in the rural areas of Giza, Fayoum and Minya attended by 7,000 girls yearly, as part of the National Girls’ Education Initiative with a goal of providing quality education to under-privileged girls. Under this program, approximately 15,000 girls have learned how to read and write from these Springboard (community) Schools and around 7,000 graduates are enrolled in middle schools and high schools, with some going on to universities across Egypt to continue their education.

Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Egypt and the United Kingdom. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and copies of all press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com