(citing the official page of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research)

The Minister of Higher Education witnesses the opening of the conference "Investing in Scientific Research" at the University of Sohag.

The Minister of Higher Education witnessed the signing of cooperation protocols between the South Upper Egypt Region Alliance and service, productive, and industrial institutions.

Minister of Higher Education confirms:

• We create a catalytic environment for investment in higher education.
• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and transforming scientific research outputs into products of economic value that contribute to serving the national economy.
• Considering the applicable scientific research outputs.

President of Sohag University:

• The University provides all material and logistical support to the scientific research file.
• We are keen to upgrade research outputs and link them to development plans and community needs.

On Saturday, Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Hassan Al-Nomani, President of Sohag University, witnessed the opening session of the conference "Investing in Scientific Research" at Sohag University, in the presence of Dr. Husam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research Affairs, the presidents of government universities, the secretaries of councils, the Ministry leaders, the university leaders, the deans of faculties, teaching staff, and students.

In his statement, Dr. Ayman Ashour emphasized that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has taken serious steps to encourage considering the applicable scientific research outputs as an important step towards the achievement of science and research integration and cooperation, in line with the achievement of the objectives of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research launched in March 2023, noting that there is a strong relationship between investment in scientific research and economic development. Thus, guiding scientific research for scientific innovation and applied research yields a high financial return, transforming it into an investment product supportive of economic and social development.

The Minister explained that the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is working to create a catalytic environment to invest in higher education, provide the necessary infrastructure and information, develop policies and procedures that support such investment, and provide appropriate incentives to investors, in addition to supporting the diversity of university education institutions that are witnessing unprecedented diversity under the leadership of the Egyptian President as the higher education system varies to include (public and national universities, private universities, technological universities, and branches of foreign universities), as well as institutes and universities with international conventions, framework, and special laws.

The Minister noted that the Ministry is working to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming scientific research outputs into products of economic value that contribute to the service of the national economy. This is done through closer cooperation between actors in the university and research system and beneficiaries through programs and initiatives implemented by the Ministry's bodies, its technical arms which are such as the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and the Science, Technology, and Innovation Finance Authority as well as the Innovators Support Fund.

For his part, Dr. Hassan Al-Noumani stressed that the Egyptian State urgently needs research and studies that touch its applications in all fields of industry, agriculture, construction, space, technology, and space, among others. He pointed out that the University provides material and logistical support for the file of scientific research and is keen to upgrade it both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in addition to linking scientific research to development plans and societal needs. To find effective solutions that can be implemented on the ground, maximize the use of scientific research, and transform it into applied research that contributes to the industrial sector and the development of the local economy.

Moreover, Sohag President stressed that the meeting highlights the importance of linking the scientific research system to the production, services, and industry sectors; To implement sustainable development requirements, and improve living conditions, as well as discussing and devising realistic solutions to the governorate's development constraints, By encouraging researchers and entrepreneurs to develop, innovate, and create and the establishment of business incubators for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the creation of a development environment commensurate with the diversity of the province's resources and the abundance of manpower. As well as upgrading the skills of human elements working in the production and service sector and training them in the thinking of development and creativity, explaining that the conference includes several important themes related to this field, research of applied opportunities, scientific solutions to production problems, and services in the fields (basic sciences, engineering sciences, agricultural sciences, medical sciences, and humanities).

Furthermore, Dr. Adel Abdul Ghaffar, Media Adviser and Spokesperson of the Ministry stated that Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of protocols for cooperation between the South Upper Egypt Region Alliance, including universities (Sohag, South Valley, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, University of Merritt) and (Saed Foundation, Enroot Development Association). Sohag University also signed cooperation protocols with service, production, and industry institutions including (the Livestock and Poultry Development Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture, Handmade Crafts Export Council, Al Qura Foundation, Sohag Water and Waste Water Company, Agricultural Professions General Syndicate of Sohag, Iris Egypt Factory, Animal Health Research Institute, Veterinary Medicine Directorate, Veterinarians Syndicate in Sohag, Arab Union for Sustainable Development, Agriculture Directorate in Sohag, Executive Body for Comprehensive Development Projects of Project Management Unit, Sohag Housing and Utilities Directorate, Tourism Activation Authority, Sidra Investment and Real Estate Development Company, Quality Techno Seeds Company, Aldar Investment Company, Sohag Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Southern Upper Egypt Beekeepers' Association).

The spokesperson added that the University organized the "Innovation and Emerging Projects Exhibition" with 20 innovators and several disabled students. The exhibition included many technological innovations that provide solutions for the conservation of natural resources, reduce energy consumption and raw materials, preserve the environment, and address waste it reflects the commitment of innovators to provide projects with a positive and sustainable impact on society and the environment. The Minister praised the level of innovation offered and the support provided to innovators and entrepreneurs, stating that the Ministry pays great attention to the care of entrepreneurs and innovators, believing that they are the future of the nation and that they can achieve sustainable development, and face the challenges facing the country.