Cairo: Jasour – News Desk
In line with the cooperation agreement signed between Nile University and Ata’a Fund for Charitable Investment to Support Special Needs Individuals, the Baseera Foundation for Visual Needs, and Western Michigan University in the United States, Nile University’s School of Continuing Education announced the launch of a postgraduate diploma for visual impairment specialists.
The diploma program combines Nile University’s expertise in successful continuing education models, Baseera Foundation’s experience in rehabilitating visually impaired individuals through its pioneering Center of Excellence in Egypt, and Western Michigan University’s expertise in studies related to the visually impaired, employing best practices and quality standards. The program offers two main specializations: Orientation and Mobility (OM) and Low Vision (LV).
Dr. Wael Akl, President of Nile University, emphasized that the postgraduate diploma for visual impairment specialists is the first graduate program in Egypt with international standards. It aims to produce highly qualified specialists to professionally handle the various aspects of life for special needs individuals, from education to comprehensive social integration.
Dr. Akl highlighted that this diploma addresses the growing market demand for visual impairment specialists due to over 6 million visually impaired individuals in Egypt, of whom 20% are completely blind and 80% have residual vision. The government’s initiative to integrate individuals with different special needs into society, including those with visual impairments, intersects with 30% of other special needs.
The diploma fills the gap in the number of specialists who understand the nature and capabilities of visually impaired individuals and how to serve them. Unlike many developed countries, there is no systematic education or training to develop the abilities and knowledge of professionals in this field.
Dr. Nevin Abdel Khalek, Dean of the School of Continuing Education at Nile University, noted that the program was designed and prepared by faculty members from Western Michigan University, which has one of the world’s best departments for studies on the blind and visually impaired.
The program is the first of its kind in Egypt, and graduates of the Orientation and Mobility and Low Vision specializations are eligible to take the international accreditation test from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) to become internationally certified specialists. This field has seen increasing demand not only in Egypt but also in other countries, especially in the Gulf States.
