Behind the scenes of a Global Academic Alliance: exclusive interview with the Leaders of the SSM-AASTMT Summit
July 24, 2026 |Rome/Cairo – Exactly one week after the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Alamein City, which sealed the strategic collaboration between the Swiss School of Management (SSM) and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), the international momentum continues to build. Following the official debut of the SSM Advisory Council on June 16, 2026, honored by high-profile diplomatic figures including H.E. Swiss Ambassador Dr. Andreas Baum, we now pull back the curtain on the event.
In this exclusive “Behind the scenes” feature, we bring you a joint interview with the SSM leaders who spearheaded and participated in the summit, exploring the real-world impact of this partnership and the future horizons for global students.
Openness and SSM’s unique recipe: insights from Dr. Ahmed Sobhi Hamido
Driving the local team in nurturing this collaboration from the very beginning, Dr. Ahmed Sobhi Hamido, Chancellor & Dean of SSM, highlights how the very nature of the institution made this milestone possible:
“The Swiss School of Management is not like a traditional school. We are open. And when we are talking about open, we are open to everything. We are open to partnerships, we are open to new ideas, we are open to embracing new technologies, everything. That’s why we are here today.
We are here to sign a new start with the Arab Academy, issuing a dual degree perhaps in the BBA for the first phase of the cooperation, and later on, we’ll go for different degrees. The point is, we want to cater to all different types of students with our unique recipe. From practitioners, for those who know business, “been there, done that'”, to those who are asking for a different quality of education. We are here for you. If you want this type of education, if you want this type of unique experience, definitely SSM is your answer and definitely we are here for you.”
Preparing students for an AI-driven world: analysis by Dr. Gilbert Chopard
Technological synergy and educational innovation were at the core of the strategic panel discussions in New Alamein. Dr. Gilbert Chopard, Director of SSM Geneva & President of the Geneva Institute of Technology, detailed how the partnership addresses the shifting demands of the global job market, particularly regarding Artificial Intelligence:
“The goal for us is to have students being able to implement AI solutions within their corporations. So that’s the main goal in fact.
Not only on the technical stack, because this is very important and complicated, involving many different layers of AI from hardware to software and statistics, but they have to master as well the economical side, which means to be able to be financially profitable combining finance capabilities with technological capabilities. So that’s what we’re trying to achieve and bring this value to our students to make them valuable to the market.”
A student-centric global vision: concluding remarks by President Dr. Massimiliano Bracalé
Reflecting on this remarkable week of institutional progress, the President of the Swiss School of Management, Dr. Massimiliano Bracalé, emphasizes internationalization and the real value delivered to families:
“The beautiful thing about this collaboration is that an esteemed institution like the Arab Academy, same as Swiss School of Management, bring to the table its internationalization and global operations.
Open the doors, open the minds, open the hearts, open the souls to students, international students, exchanging knowledge giving them the opportunity to earn two degrees, it’s amazing. It gives them more opportunities to find a job, to find new opportunities in the world.
And when it comes to quality, quality is a judgement that comes from who is paying the bills. So who is paying the tuition fees. And tuition fees get paid by students, sponsors and families. So what do you get? It’s their judgement. And if they are happy, if they say “yes, I’ve learned something, I’m ready for the world” then we did an excellent job.”
A Synergy of Vision, Innovation, and Execution
While the official milestone in New Alamein City established this academic alliance before top diplomatic, industrial, and business dignitaries, the insights from our leadership confirm that this partnership is already alive, dynamic, and operationally active. The Advisory Council for Business and International Cooperation has effectively laid the groundwork for an educational revolution.
The event, held under the theme “International Partnerships Towards a More Interconnected Future”, served as more than just the backdrop for our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); it functioned as a strategic laboratory where AASTMT’s regional excellence met SSM’s global vision.
Through the launch of the dual degree program, the integration of AI solutions into the curriculum, and the development of practical training pathways with the Egyptian Exchange, the Swiss School of Management and the Arab Academy are not merely planning for the future. We are actively reshaping the landscape of global business education, transforming the Alamein campus into a hub of excellence that bridges academic rigor, technological innovation, and direct impact on the real economy, giving students the exact edge they need to lead in a connected world.
And now, watch the video interview
The production and realization of this exclusive video interview were made possible thanks to the outstanding cross-hub collaboration of our international media team:
For the Production & Local Hub Coordination, Dr. Raghda Hany, Business Development Manager SSM Cairo, and for the Editing & Media Management, Noemi Bracalé, MBA candidate SSM Barcelona & Social Media Manager SSM Global.
And now, why don’t experience the energy of the El Alamein summit and hear directly from the leaders on campus?
Enjoy watching.
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