Juhayna Food Industries and Alexandria University today inaugurated the educational dairy plant at the Faculty of Agriculture following its rehabilitation for operation and production, funded by Juhayna. The facility provides students with hands-on training across the entire dairy production process, from milk reception and pasteurization to packaging and refrigeration. The inauguration was attended by Major General Eng. Sherif El Rashidy, Head of the Industrial Affairs Sector, representing H.E. the Minister of Industry, and Dr. Khaled Gad, Head of the Central Administration for Agricultural Extension and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, representing H.E. the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The project forms part of Juhayna’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which places education and youth skills development at the forefront of its priorities.
The plant’s pasteurized milk packaging machine has a production capacity of approximately 2,400 pouches per hour, while the yogurt production line can produce up to 200 cups per hour. These capabilities enable the facility to produce pasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese on an industrial scale within a training environment that closely reflects real-world factory operations.
The rehabilitation works included the supply and installation of a new hot-water boiler, an automatic yogurt filling machine, and a final pasteurization unit, alongside repairs to the pasteurized milk pouch packaging machine and upgrades to the cooling, water, and cleaning systems.
The facility accommodates students from different academic years by organizing them into groups. The pasteurization hall accommodates approximately 20 to 30 students per session, while the cheese and ice cream halls each accommodate between 10 and 15 students. The plant serves students from the Department of Dairy Science and Technology, as well as students from the Food Industries, Animal Production, Home Economics, Agricultural Economics, and Agricultural Engineering departments, as part of their academic coursework and summer training. It also supports research activities for postgraduate students and faculty members. Students train in producing pasteurized milk, cheese, butter, ghee, and ice cream, and gain experience handling technical issues before entering the labor market.
Commenting on the inauguration, Seif El Din Thabet, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Juhayna Food Industries, said: “At Juhayna, we believe that the future of Egypt’s dairy industry depends on our ability to invest in human capital and equip new generations with the knowledge and skills needed to keep pace with industry developments. From this perspective, we view the modernization of this plant not merely as a community initiative, but as a long-term investment in the future of the sector. Through this project, we are translating our more than 40 years of experience in the dairy industry into an educational and practical learning experience that allows students to gain firsthand exposure to the work environment and production lines, better preparing them for the transition into the labor market.”
He added: “Strengthening the competitiveness of Egypt’s food industry and supporting food security require building a strong foundation of qualified talent capable of development and innovation. We see this project as a practical model of collaboration between the industrial sector and academic institutions, helping bridge the gap between education and labor market needs while preparing qualified professionals capable of supporting the industry’s growth.”
For his part, Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel Hakim, Acting President of Alexandria University, said: “The modernization of the plant represents an important addition to the educational and training capabilities of the Faculty of Agriculture and reflects the value of our collaboration with Juhayna in supporting the development of our educational facilities. We are committed to ensuring that our students graduate with the knowledge and practical skills the food industry needs, and this plant brings us closer to achieving that goal.”
The plant’s training role extends beyond the faculty. It has hosted students from Damanhour, Menoufia, and Assiut universities, as well as from Alexandria University’s Saba Basha Faculty of Agriculture. It has also delivered training programs for young graduates and welcomed visits from school students.The plant’s role is not limited to education. Since 1995, it has supplied pasteurized milk and yogurt to Alexandria University hospitals. It also supplies dairy and cheese products to the University Student Hospital, the Medical Research Institute, university dormitories, university camps, and a number of NGOs.
The plant dates back to the 1960s, when it was established as a dairy extension laboratory. It was re-equipped with modern machinery in 1992, before its aging equipment necessitated the current modernization works.
It is worth noting that Juhayna Food Industries, established in 1983, is an Egyptian company specializing in the production, processing, and packaging of a diverse range of dairy products, juices, and cooking products. The company has succeeded in leading the dairy and juice markets in Egypt while expanding into international markets, exporting its products to 64 countries. This success is driven by Juhayna’s continued commitment to providing safe, healthy food products of superior quality, making it a preferred brand among consumers.
