Chinese projects open new horizons for young Egyptian engineer

Egyptian engineer Mohammad Khalid Fathallah discusses work with his colleague in Cairo, Egypt, on May 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Ran)

From the work in human resources to the marketing position, Egyptian engineer Mohammad Fathallah has learned a lot from the high standards observed by the Chinese company he works for. "I also have a China dream," the young man says.

In late April, through unremitting efforts with his Chinese colleagues, the 27-year-old Egyptian engineer Mohammad Fathallah successfully helped the Chinese company he has worked for win a tender to renovate a building in Egypt's capital Cairo.

"We finally won this project. Our determination and resolve have paid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. This success has opened new horizons for me," tall dark-skinned Fathallah said, wearing a happy smile.

As a member of China National Chemical Engineering No.16 Construction Co., Ltd., Egypt Branch, Fathallah has made a considerable contribution to the hard-to-come-by success by conducting a series of detailed studies on the procurement requirements in the local market since last year.

Egyptian engineer Mohammad Khalid Fathallah stands in front of a project blueprint in Cairo, Egypt, on May 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Ran)

It was not the only test Fathallah has been put through at work during the pandemic. In 2018, he joined the company's 186-megawatt photovoltaic power plant project in his hometown Aswan Province as a manager of the related human resources.

When the COVID-19 hit China in early 2020, a number of his Chinese employees and workers who had been in China for Spring Festival holiday failed to return to Egypt on time, while the Aswan project needed urgent coordination among the remaining employees.

At this juncture, Fathallah decided to remain at the project site without hesitation. He took on more tasks of the project until his Chinese colleagues returned safely in late August.

Song Jun, director of the Chinese company in Egypt, noted that the company attaches great importance to the exchange of experiences between Chinese and Egyptian engineers.

Egyptian engineer Mohammad Khalid Fathallah works in his office in Cairo, Egypt, on May 4, 2021. (Xinhua/Chen Ran)

From the work in human resources to the current marketing position, Fathallah, with his intellect, has learned a lot from the high standards observed by the Chinese company in quest of a wider scope to develop.

"I also have a China dream," said Fathallah, who has been interested in the Chinese culture, expressing hope to work at the company's headquarters in China someday.

"I have never been to China, but reading relevant books and making friends with Chinese colleagues make me feel so close to this country," he added.

Alongside Fathallah, a group of other young Egyptians in this company have been working hard and vigorously. "They are one of the reasons for all my achievements. Team work is one of the great things I have learned at the company," the Egyptian engineer noted.