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Ghiz on trade mission in Egypt

Egypt

Egypt

Published on January 28, 2013
Published on January 28, 2013
Teresa Wright  RSS Feed
Topics :
University in Egypt , Egypt , P.E.I. , Iceland

Premier Robert Ghiz is in Egypt this week with the president of UPEI for a trade mission in partnership with the university.

One of the key items on the agenda is post-secondary education.

Meetings were held between P.E.I. delegates and the October 6 University in Egypt. Officials there are looking to develop a kindergarten-to-Grade-12 school based on Prince Edward's Island's education curriculum.

“We are also taking this opportunity to promote our province’s ongoing effort to stimulate economic growth, trade, international investment and enhancements to our international role in post-secondary education," Ghiz said in a written statement to The Guardian.

But this certainly is not a routine trade mission for the P.E.I. delegation.

Parts of Egypt have erupted in political violence since their arrival. Three provinces in the country have been declared in states of emergency by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Monday marked the fifth day of deadly riots in the country as opposition groups rally on the anniversary of the toppling of former ruler Hosni Mubarak's regime. Even central Cairo was the scene of deadly unrest Monday.

Ghiz was unavailable for comment, but a spokesperson for the Premier's Office said the members of the trade mission are following the advice of Canadian security officials and are avoiding areas of public demonstrations.

Comments

  • Username
    WAKEUP
    - February 20, 2013 at 20:53:17

    this has nothing to do with kindergarten-to-Grade-12, PEI education curriculum, the university, his job, or Ghiz. Where has the PRES been since he arrived and more importantly who (and from where) has he brought into PEI to study briefly in Canada.

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  • Username
    Annoyed Islander
    - February 10, 2013 at 13:23:18

    How much did this trip actually cost Islanders - as the people that are footing these vacations away? Schooling was an excuse used for this trip. How is Ghiz held accountable - or it doesn't matter - the money that we have to pay the government can be spent anyway that they choose?

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  • Username
    Two fools in Egypt
    - February 3, 2013 at 09:58:28

    Hope they both stay there. One who is incompetent and inept running a small government; the other a university. Both are a mess with these 2 fools as leaders.

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  • Username
    Chucker
    - January 30, 2013 at 10:38:10

    Is Ghiz Ok? Is the delegation Ok? How are the meetings going? How is the hotel? How is the service? Does his room overlook the Nile? Are there any journalists in PEI??????

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  • Username
    HMR
    - January 29, 2013 at 16:58:42

    I wonder why anyone would want to model their education system on a system like PEI; where their students always finish at the very bottom of every national and international assessment that has been administered over the past 20 years! I also wonder if our inept premier travelled 1st class at Islanders expense like he did last year; and which liberal patronage pals accompanied him on this winter vacation? Hopefully for all the residents of PEI; Egypt will see fit to keep him there!!!

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  • Username
    Islandwoman
    - January 29, 2013 at 14:12:12

    this must be a joke. I don't believe for one second Egypt is going to develop a kindergarten-to-Grade-12 school based on "Prince Edward's Island's education curriculum". And if they were, why talk to Ghiz? Is he the expert on the curriculum?

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  • Username
    oberst
    - January 29, 2013 at 12:44:05

    you got to give it to him, whomever dream up this one. Alaa gets to go home and visit the counsins, and Ghjiz gets a vacation in the sun, and whomever else is 'invited' to go to this gets a freebee as well. I sure hope the 'inventor' gets to go too. WHAT a bunch of B s. It looks like Ghiz is going to take us fore everything he can before he 'heads out'. It is sickening, especially considering our financial situation, --- it is unbeiliveably how much Ghiz hates us, --- doing whatever he pleases with no regards to the effect on our Province and Islanders. It has been alluded to before, but one has to question his judgement and if there is an underlaying cause for this disregard for thge welfare of the Province. qre of the Ps y ky b Sel

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  • Username
    frank
    - January 29, 2013 at 12:33:52

    Will Ghiz ever give up, --- trotting all over the place to get out of PEI's cold winter, to bask in the sunshine anywhere he can find it, at our expense. We are broke, but he keeps at it, wasting our money on silly stuff, in the company of the UPEI Pres,who may better stay on PEI and face the charges. India, Egypt, Florida and who remembers qll the rest of the places he has run to. Stay home for God sake and do the job you are elected for, better resign and go away for good. h joyet bresign. i. ro EOPI

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  • Username
    mac
    - January 29, 2013 at 12:26:32

    Just who is parttaking in this 'mission'??? If we are paying we should know who we are paying FOR. I ALSO UNDERSTANDF THERE IS A $ 90.000 TRADE MISSION UNDER WAY TO FLORIDA. Who is going on that? -- Are they all coming back, or will some enjoy a few more weeks in the sun---- maybe take in Islander Day on March in St Petersburgh, ---- I think the media needs to ask who all are going, - it should not be a secret.--- We need to know if this is njust a continuation of Ghiz feeding and now 'tripping' his friends and relatives on 'the tit'--r

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  • Username
    harold
    - January 29, 2013 at 12:19:52

    Let's face it, - the people in Egypt do not know where PEI is, but I do believe that the University Presedent hails from Egypt and probably has relatives and friends there due for a visit , and who in turn would like to free trip to PEI, when things 'develop' - viola- Ghiz buys in, also needing a free trip out of PEI during these cold times. Selling anything is nothing more than a ruse, --- but those two and unmaned others are having a vacation in Egypt thanks to the dumb taxpayers of PEI . Bon Voyage --------------

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  • Username
    MUST BE A JOKE
    - January 29, 2013 at 11:00:19

    I find this unbelievable. There is absoutely no way that anyone would want to model after an education system where a grade 12 graduate cannot fill out a job application or a university student cannot find Europe on a map. This must be a 100 per cent pleasure trip and I don't seem to be able to visualize that any other politicians in the world could be as inept as Ghiz and his crew.

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  • Username
    IS THIS REAL
    - January 29, 2013 at 10:55:13

    I cannot believe that politicians in Egypt could be this stupid. We have kids here on PEI with a Grade 12 certificate who cannot fill out a job application. We have University students who cannot find Europe on a map. I truly did not believe that there are politicians elsewhere who we as inept as Ghiz and his crew.

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  • Username
    good work
    - January 29, 2013 at 09:10:10

    @ISN"T IT NICE...there are such things as long-term investments...just because you may not be able to read about the results of a particular project/effort in the paper the next day does not mean it is a waste of money/time.

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    • Username
      If This is not a Crock
      - January 29, 2013 at 09:53:49

      ..... then why was it not announced before he left. The info about his absence was only revealed after the abortion protest exposed it. It is not as if this gang has a great record on slick deals - Homburg, Biocommons, the Indian company, Opacmare, etc. So right now it looks to those of us shivering through this cold snap like a comfy vacation in a warm climate. What is the name of the resort - er I mean hotel? And how long is the trip? Info please.

    • Username
      UPWESTER
      - January 29, 2013 at 12:06:17

      The reason most Islanders can'r read about it in the newspaper is because 50% of Islanders can't read or comprehend what they read. Is this why they brought in a president of UPEI from Egypt? The outgoing president of UPEI has just made the statement in the newspaper last week, for those of us who can read, that a vast majority of Islanders can't read or comprehend even up to high school level. With the Muslim Brotherhood in charge of Egypt for the moment, and a civil war in the wings, and with views from the 10th century,I can understand why they might be interested in a failed education system. Stay here and fix our system instead of trying to export a totally failed system.This makes about as much sense as taking the PEI bag Co. to China in hope of selling bags.Have you ever seen any bags made in PEI in any store? Have you ever seen any bags made in China in our stores? Absolutely ridiculous!

  • Username
    Education
    - January 29, 2013 at 09:07:37

    Officials there are looking to develop a kindergarten-to-Grade-12 school based on Prince Edward's Island's education curriculum. It was just reported the other day in this very newspaper that over 50% of islanders struggle with illiteracy problems. So my question is why officials there are looking to develop a kindergarten-to-Grade-12 school based on Prince Edward's Island's education curriculum. Ghiz should be helping to improve the education standards at HOME.

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    • Username
      ELECTRICALENGINEER
      - January 29, 2013 at 12:11:55

      EDUCATION---" over 50% of islanders struggle with illiteracy problems". ..Actually, they struggle with literacy problems.

  • Username
    Confused...
    - January 29, 2013 at 09:01:14

    Why on earth would enlightened people like the Egyptians want to model their schools based on an educational curriculum that turns out kids with a 50% literacy/numeracy rate?

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  • Username
    Isn't it Nice
    - January 29, 2013 at 08:27:02

    Isn't it nice that we the poor taxpayers are making sure our Rulers are getting to see the world on our tab . With the finances here on PEI , this is certaintly a required expendure . Good place for him , we can pray he stay's there but I'm sure we won't be that lucky .

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  • Username
    Cb
    - January 29, 2013 at 08:10:16

    Make a school based off of the islands curriculum?? So Egyptians can be as illiterate as islanders? This sounds like a cover up reason for Ghiz to get a free trip to Egypt...

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  • Username
    John W.A.Curtis
    - January 29, 2013 at 08:08:41

    I thought the people of Egypt were smarter and wouldn't listen to P.E.I. It was suggested by a Liberal M.P Brighton. that there be a single school cirriculum for all three maritime provinces or the four Atlantic provinces which would save money by reducing the number of Boards of Education. Wes Sheridan is telling we have to wait to 2016 to balance the books while Premier Ghiz and UPEI President get a free trip to Egypt. UPEI isn't under the Access to Information act. P.E.I. doesn't have a Provincial Ombudsman to investigate schools, hospitals or police.

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  • Username
    James Macgoo Lakeside
    - January 29, 2013 at 07:55:52

    Of all the places in all the world to go to at this time. Given the riska to citizens in that region of the world, why at this time lay the ground work to expose canadians to dangers in this region? The objectives of the program are laudable, however why not a more stable region at this time? Egypt has been in state of change/danger for the past year. Certainly there was ample time for university and government to change plans. Mr. Ghiz what other considerations could possibly make you want to keep this trip as scheduled? At very least, one could question your decision process. Please explain.

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  • Username
    Bob Frank
    - January 29, 2013 at 07:51:57

    This is crazy,

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  • Username
    school marm
    - January 29, 2013 at 07:34:26

    yesterday's story talked about 50% literacy rates in PEI. And we want to export that curriculum?

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  • Username
    Taxpayers still paying for vacations for the elite
    - January 29, 2013 at 06:31:58

    No wonder the government has no money to employ Islanders. How can an Islander, who has no connections, can only get minimum wage jobs with several degrees, and not related to the elite, get on one of these trade missions, summits, delegations, and so on??? I hear the weather is nice there this time of year. And the cost to taxpayers is?????

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  • Username
    Ashamed to call myself an ISLANDER
    - January 29, 2013 at 06:20:59

    Egypt;At the expense of the people of P.E.I;at a time when we are financially in a rut. It won't be long, until we send him to the moon.Title:Longest serving Premier in Canada and 1st Canadian Premier on the moon. I can see it now.

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Justine Thyme
    - January 29, 2013 at 01:41:11

    Be a real shame if these riots closed the airport and they had to keep him ... a real shame ....

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  • Username
    Joe Blow
    - January 29, 2013 at 01:39:30

    I hope he never comes back!! It would do the province a world of good!!

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  • Username
    Robby McRobb
    - January 28, 2013 at 23:15:52

    Perhaps being in an area where people are rioting against the Government. Will show Ghiz first hand how lucky he is being an In Debt leader of an inept party.At least on PEI complaints are basically verbal. no riots.

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  • Username
    GreeneyedMonster
    - January 28, 2013 at 23:09:32

    He'll be just fine...Ghiz is an old pro at avoiding public demonstrations.

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  • Username
    Timing is everything for an arab spring
    - January 28, 2013 at 23:08:08

    Maybe we should be in the arms manufacture business? What kind of weapons are they using to suppress the ousting of another tyrant. Tyrants might get along alright with our "Dear Leader" Robert Ghiz but many of these guys are being thrown out and there is no way to throw him out in "OUR Democracy". Contacts in Egypt will be eager to go anywhere they can run to.

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  • Username
    are you kidding
    - January 28, 2013 at 23:03:32

    When I heard that Ghiz was going on this vacation my mind raced to this time last year when Ghiz and his boss Townsend went to India for the great job creation that is still waiting a year later to happen and his desperate need to get home on a first class ticket ! I do hope that this isn't just another trip at the taxpayer's expense that is nothing more than Townsend's way of getting Ghiz to look like he is a mover and shaker in the international stage,

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  • Username
    intobed
    - January 28, 2013 at 22:46:03

    I hope he doesn't recommend the HST be implemented in Egypt. He would be strung up from the nearest light pole!

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