AUC Celebrates Graduation of 32 Experts from Egypt’s First Process Safety Management Diploma Program
The American University in Cairo (AUC) recently held a graduation ceremony for 32 professionals who completed the inaugural Professional Diploma in Process Safety Management (PSM). This diploma program was developed through a collaboration among AUC, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Methanex Egypt.
Graduation Ceremony Details
The ceremony took place at the AUC New Cairo campus and was attended by prominent figures including Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi and AUC President Ahmad Dallal, along with Methanex Global CEO Rich Sumner and Methanex Egypt Managing Director Mohamed Shindy, along with various leaders from the oil and gas sector.
About the Diploma Program
Launched in May 2025, the diploma program was designed in consultation with multiple stakeholders and follows a foundational agreement established in 2020 aimed at creating a national PSM roadmap. This initiative has resulted in the development of 24 sector-adopted PSM standards and guidelines, which form the basis of the program’s curriculum. The program seeks to equip technical professionals with skills necessary to manage operational risks and prevent major incidents in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.
Significance of Collaborative Approach
During the ceremony, President Dallal emphasized the importance of the program’s collaborative approach, which integrates insights from government, industry, and academia to address urgent operational needs. He noted that effective process safety systems are essential for safeguarding lives, assets, and the environment while enhancing overall reliability and competitiveness.
Ministerial Perspective
Minister Badawi highlighted the need to invest in human capital and adhere to process safety standards, which are vital to the ministry’s strategy for the advancement of the petroleum sector. He characterized the program as a successful collaboration between global corporations and prominent academic institutions, aimed at promoting a culture of occupational safety.
Support from Methanex
Shindy expressed support for the first cohort’s achievements and reaffirmed Methanex’s commitment to future cohorts as part of the company’s investment in the development of the sector’s capabilities.
Graduate Preparedness
Lotfi Gaafar, Dean of AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering, noted that graduates are now prepared to contribute to increasing safety and reliability in industrial operations. AUC has plans to broaden this collaboration for future cohorts.
AUC’s Experience and Impact
AUC’s Engineering and Science Services unit, with over 40 years of experience, has established itself as a recognized provider of training and consulting services in engineering and scientific disciplines throughout Egypt and the Middle East. The program has already provided benefits to numerous organizations in both the public and private sectors across a variety of industries.
(Source: American University in Cairo)
