CAIRO — While Egypt's government argues that a newly established academy will boost the involvement of young people in the public domain, some worry it may be used as a tool to ensure loyalty to the regime.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a decree setting up the National Academy to Train and Qualify Youth on Aug. 28, in line with recommendations put forward by participants in the first National Youth Conference in November 2016 in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The new academy, built in Giza's 6th of October City over an area of 10,000 square meters (107,600 square feet) with six buildings, is scheduled to start classes later this month. However, questions were raised about its goals as well as its political and public roles. Critics worry its intention is to ensure hegemony over young people to guarantee their loyalty to the regime in exchange for receiving leading positions.

The academy aims to enhance the participation in politics of Egyptian young people, who often abstain from participating in political life due to their lack of trust in the regime. The academy also seeks to prepare young Egyptians to occupy leading positions in the government.