Maritime education, the development of new skills and the training of human resources for the Blue Economy were at the heart of the Eugenides Foundation’s contribution to the 3rd Greece–Egypt Joint Committee on Maritime Transport, held on 5 October 2026 within the framework of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The Greek delegation was headed by Manolis Koutoulakis, Secretary General for Ports and Port Policy at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.
The Governor of the Eugenides Foundation, Professor Ioannis Golias, participated in the meeting as a member of the Greek delegation. He presented the Foundation’s longstanding experience and expertise in maritime education and highlighted specific opportunities for developing cooperation between Greece and Egypt.
The 3rd Joint Committee provides an institutional framework for dialogue and cooperation between the two countries on maritime transport issues, strengthening coordination and the exchange of expertise in a sector of strategic importance to both nations.
From maritime education to the skills of the future
During the discussions of the Greek delegation, the Governor of the Eugenides Foundation referred to the Foundation’s longstanding role in supporting and advancing maritime education in Greece, ranging from the development of educational content and the publication of specialised textbooks to professional training and the use of modern educational tools.
As he emphasised, technological developments, the green transition and the transformation of the maritime sector are creating new workforce needs, making it essential to identify, in a timely manner, the professions and skills that will be required in the years ahead.
Within this context, Greece and Egypt can develop a common framework for action focusing on:
• the transfer of expertise in the organisation and advancement of maritime education;
• the exchange of educational materials and methodologies;
• the development or adaptation of educational programmes to meet the needs of both countries;
• the training of educators and the assurance of educational quality;
• the use of digital tools and new technologies in the learning process; and
• the joint identification of new skills required in the maritime sector and the Blue Economy.
The Blue Economy as an area for cooperation
Cooperation is not limited to maritime education in the narrow sense. The Blue Economy encompasses a broader ecosystem of activities and professions, ranging from maritime transport, ports and shipbuilding and ship repair to marine tourism, offshore renewable energy and subsea infrastructure.
Against this backdrop, there is a growing need for new digital, technical and green skills, as well as for the development of a workforce capable of responding to the changes taking place across the maritime and technical sectors.
One of the opportunities presented involves mapping labour market needs and jointly identifying emerging occupations and skills across the Mediterranean, with the participation of educational institutions, businesses and institutional partners.
The Foundation’s international network
The Eugenides Foundation’s international presence can further support such cooperation.
Particular reference was made to the Foundation’s strategic partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU), as well as its participation in the Waterborne Technology Platform, the European network bringing together the maritime sector, industry, research and policymaking.
The experience gained through these partnerships can contribute to the exchange of expertise and the development of joint educational initiatives with a broader Mediterranean perspective.
New opportunities through the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development
The Eugenides Foundation’s Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development can also serve as an important vehicle for developing such cooperation.
The Institute aims to operate as a hub for vocational training, connecting education with the actual needs of the labour market, both within the Blue Economy and across the broader technical sector.
Within the framework of Greek-Egyptian cooperation and in coordination with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, targeted training programmes in maritime and technical skills could be developed and delivered in Greece, through blended learning formats or remotely, in cooperation with educational institutions and relevant authorities in Egypt.