In a bold stride toward educational innovation, Egypt’s Education Development Fund, under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office, has unveiled its first-ever diploma program dedicated to preparing teachers specialized in the Japanese holistic learning approach known as “Tokatsu.” This initiative marks a significant leap in Egypt’s efforts to elevate its educational standards by integrating globally recognized pedagogical methods.
The diploma will commence in the 2025/2026 academic year, is the product of a strategic collaboration between Egypt’s leading universities — Ain Shams, Helwan, and the Egyptian Japanese University of Science and Technology — and Japan’s prestigious University of Fukui. Graduates of the program will receive a dual certification, endorsed both by their home institutions and the Japanese partner university, reflecting the program’s international caliber.
Dr. Rasha Saad Sharaf, Secretary-General of the Education Development Fund, described the launch as “a transformative step toward equipping Egyptian educators with advanced competencies aligned with Japan’s world-renowned educational standards.” She emphasized that the program embodies the state’s commitment to enhancing education quality and expanding international academic partnerships.
Sixteen faculty members from the participating Egyptian universities have already undergone intensive training in Japan, facilitated through the Egypt-Japan Partnership Program. This immersion has enabled them to gain firsthand experience of Japan’s educational methodologies, ensuring that they are well-prepared to deliver the diploma curriculum with authenticity and rigor.
The diploma will be offered across three geographically strategic campuses — Ain Shams University’s Faculty of Women in Heliopolis, Helwan University’s Faculty of Education in Helwan, and the Egyptian Japanese University located in the Smart Village, 6th of October City. This distributed model aims to provide broad accessibility to prospective students nationwide.
Complementing the rigorous academic coursework, trainee teachers will engage in extensive practical training within Egypt’s Japanese schools, creating an integrated learning environment where theoretical knowledge and hands-on application converge. This dual approach is designed to foster highly competent educators ready to implement Tokatsu’s holistic pedagogy in Egyptian classrooms.
A hallmark of the program is the direct involvement of Japanese educational experts, who will teach in-person sessions on Egyptian soil. Their presence ensures an authentic transmission of Tokatsu principles and enriches the learning experience for participants.
Applications for the pioneering diploma are now open via the Education Development Fund’s official website www.edf.edu.eg. Dr. Sharaf encourages aspiring educators to seize this unprecedented opportunity to be at the forefront of educational reform and cross-cultural academic exchange.
