In its 3rd commencement, Orotta College of Medicine and Health Science has conferred Post Graduate, Doctor of Medicine, First Degree, and Diploma qualifications to 275 graduates yesterday.

The graduates include 12.7% in degree programs and 87.3% in diploma programs, with 47.6% of the graduating students being female. Prof. Yemane Seium, Dean of the College, stated that Orotta College of Medicine and Health Science, as an institute of higher learning, strives to provide quality medical education, standard patient care, and medical research. He emphasized that the college ensures its education programs include content that is aligned with current global developments, focusing on primary health care and addressing community needs. According to Prof. Yemane, the graduates include 22 with a Degree of Doctor of Medicine, 9 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, 4 specializing in Pediatrics and Child Health, and 1 specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In the diploma program, the graduates include 20 in Medical Laboratory Technology, 20 in Pharmacy Technician, 120 in Comprehensive Nursing, 30 in Dental Technology, 17 in Radiology Technology, and 25 in Environmental Health Technology.

Prof. Yemane also urged the graduates to serve and improve the quality of life and health of their communities with compassion, honesty, and integrity.

In her keynote address, Ms. Amina Nurhussein, Minister of Health, noted the significant investment the Government of Eritrea is making to provide equitable education opportunities to its citizens, which is yielding encouraging results. She called on the graduates to apply their knowledge practically and serve their people with utmost dedication and diligence. The representative of the graduates, commending the educational opportunities provided, expressed their conviction to meet the expectations of the people and the government that supported their education.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation has announced that the village of “Shama” in Menoufia Governorate has been awarded the “Tarsheed” certification for Green Rural Communities. This certification is part of the “Green Village” initiative within the national project for the development of rural Egypt, “Hayah Karima,” which aims to upgrade the “Haya Karima” villages to meet the latest global environmental standards set by the World Green Building Council.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, emphasized the Government of Egypt’s commitment to integrating environmental considerations into developmental plans through various initiatives and programs. These include the Environmental Sustainability Standards Guide, the “Green Village” initiative, and Egypt’s country platform for the “NWFE” program.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat further noted that the “Green Village” initiative serves as a model of successful partnership with civil society organizations and private sector institutions. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, “Partnerships for the Goals.” H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted that the initiative focuses on upgrading one village in each governorate of the first phase to serve as a model to be replicated across other villages in the “Hayah Karima” project, thus reinforcing the localization of the SDGs in rural Egyptian communities.

The “Tarsheed” certification for Green Rural Communities is recognized as one of the top 10 global certifications for its adherence to “net-zero emissions” standards. It is also the first internationally accredited certification awarded to existing, highly needy villages.

Key factors contributing to a village’s qualification for the “Tarsheed” certification include achieving all sustainable development goals, comprehensive service provision, efficient management of drinking water and irrigation, provision of green spaces and public gardens, environmental awareness, energy conservation and emissions reduction, treatment and recycling of wastewater, and waste recycling and economic value creation.

It is noteworthy that 30 developmental projects are currently underway in the village of “Shama” as part of the “Hayah Karima” initiative. These projects include a government services complex, an agricultural services complex, the establishment and development of several schools with 182 classrooms to reduce class density, and ongoing expansion of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per day and a drinking water purification plant with a capacity of 5,000 cubic meters per day.

In a recent extensive meeting with new governors and their deputies, held at the Ministry of Local Development, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat reviewed various initiatives being implemented by the ministry across the governorates of the country. Additionally, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat presented the framework for governance of investment spending for the current fiscal year 2024/2025, which aims to create opportunities for the private sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

As the universal Church, through The Holy Father, Pope Francis has asked us to do, the Catholic Diocese of Oyo (https://CatholicDioceseOyo.org) today celebrates the gift of all our elderly and grandparents. You are a gift and treasure to us especially in Africa and will always be cherished. I greet you all and pray for you. Joy, fulfillment, good health of mind and body shall be yours till the end. We cherish your wisdom, experience and faith. You are still useful and needed in this troubled nation, the Church, in the family and in the life of your children and grandchildren. please continue to pray and work for peace, family values and love among all. Do not just sit back and watch. Please continue to impart and imbue us with your good counsel, experience, faith stories and generosity. Pray and Persuade your descendants and others never to forget the land of their birth like old Jacob and Joseph did in the Old Testament. Teach them not to forget the Church that raised them in the faith. May God bless you with more fruitful years and may your children and descendants be gracious to you. Amen. Remember that Psalm 92 reads “The upright will flourish like the palm tree, will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. planted in the house of Yahweh, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit , will remain fresh and green, to proclaim Yahweh’s integrity; my rock, in whom no fault can be found” (Psalm 92: 12-15) So shall it be for you. Happy, joyful celebration from+ bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Catholic Diocese.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Nigeria.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Minister of Education and Technical Education Dr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, and Director of the Egyptian Military Academy Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher. The meeting focused on several aspects of training and qualifications related to the educational process, particularly the enhancement and development of teachers’ skills and capabilities, given their fundamental role in the educational system. In this context, the ongoing efforts involving various state agencies to enhance and develop the mechanisms for selecting and preparing educational staff in Egyptian schools were reviewed.

President El-Sisi emphasized that the state gives priority to improving all aspects of the education system, especially the human element, through effective selection and training, both technical and personal, to ensure the highest standards of objectivity, neutrality, and competence, ultimately reflecting on the quality of educational services provided to the Egyptian students in schools.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.