Port Training Institute Hosts the 31st Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Skills Development at Arab Seaports
As part of the leading role played by the Port Training Institute (PTI) at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in supporting and developing Arab human resources and strengthening cooperation and integration among Arab ports and maritime institutions, the Institute's headquarters in Alexandria hosted the 31st regular meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Skills Development at Arab Seaports, affiliated with the Arab Ports Federation, on Monday, 31 August 2026.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Major General Essam Badawy, Secretary General of the Arab Ports Federation; Major General Tarek Abdallah, Deputy Secretary General of the Federation; Prof. Alaa Abdel Bary, Vice President of the Academy for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research; and Prof. Alaa Mahmoud Morsy, Dean of Port Training Institute and Research and Consultation Center for the Maritime Transport Sector. The meeting was also attended by a number of representatives and officials from the Institute and the Center, in addition to members and representatives of Arab maritime authorities and institutions.
The meeting addressed a number of important topics related to skills development and human capacity building at Arab ports. Discussions included following up on the decisions and recommendations of the 30th meeting, reviewing the training requirements and needs of Federation members, and discussing these needs with Arab maritime institutes and colleges. The meeting also reviewed the latest developments and requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation among Arab maritime institutes and colleges.
The meeting also featured a series of specialized scientific sessions addressing several future-oriented issues related to port development and the enhancement of workforce skills. Prof. Alaa Mahmoud Morsy delivered a presentation entitled “Smart Ports: A Vision for the Future of Arab Ports.”
Prof. Dr. Karim Tounbol, Professor of Marine Sciences and Dean of the Maritime Postgraduate Institute, presented the topic “Green Ports Cluster for a Sustainable Maritime and Transport Ecosystem in the Mediterranean Region,” highlighting sustainability requirements and the transition towards ports that are more aligned with global environmental trends.
In addition, Prof. Kazem Saeed Mahmoud Ajami, Dean of the Sustainable Blue Economy Institute, addressed the topic “Training Personnel for Safe, Secure and Resilient Ports – Competency-Based Training,” emphasizing the importance of developing training systems in line with the evolving requirements of the port working environment.
The scientific sessions also included a presentation on “Enhancing Digital Transformation in Ports through an AI-Powered Content Management Platform,” delivered by Dr. Mohamed Bahnesy as well as a presentation entitled “From Organizational Structure Design to Smart Organization Design,” delivered by Dr. Mahmoud Bahgat.
The scientific sessions concluded with a discussion on artificial intelligence and innovative training technologies, and their role in developing port communities and enhancing their adaptability and resilience. The sessions also addressed key topics related to cybersecurity, presented by Eng. Mohamed Abdel Aziz and Eng. Mohamed Kamal.
The meeting was held as part of the Arab Ports Federation's commitment to strengthening coordination and cooperation among Arab ports and maritime institutions, as well as promoting the exchange of expertise and experiences in the field of skills development. These efforts contribute to preparing qualified human resources capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments taking place in the ports and maritime transport sector.
Hosting this important meeting also reflects the pivotal role played by the Port Training Institute in supporting professional development and specialized training, strengthening Arab cooperation in capacity building, and keeping pace with modern trends in smart ports, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and cybersecurity.
