(((Quoted the official page of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research for Science)))

Minister of Higher Education chairs the meeting of the Higher Council of Universities at Sohag University

Minister of Higher Education directs:

• Universities prepare for the first semester exams for the academic year 2024/2025.

• Attendance of staff, associated staff, and administrative body throughout the first semester examinations.

• Promoting innovation and transforming scientific research outputs into economically valuable products to serve the national economy.

The Minister of Higher Education stresses that:

• The presidential initiative "Alliance and Development" has achieved a development boom in the Egyptian regions.

The Minister of Higher praises:

• The inclusion of 42 Egyptian universities in the Thames Higher Education Classification in its version for the Arab Region for 2024.

• Inclusion of 48 Egyptian universities in the results of the Arab Classification of Universities for 2024.

• Inclusion of 26 Egyptian universities in QS Sustainability Rankings for 2025.

Therefore, the Supreme Council of Universities held its periodic meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of Dr. Ayman Ashour, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Rafat, Secretary of the Council, and members of the Council, at the headquarters of Sohag University.

Hence, the Council thanked the family of the University of Sohag under the chairmanship of Dr. Hassan Al-Numani, the President of the University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

Moreover, the Minister of Higher Education directed universities to prepare for the first semester examinations for the academic year 2024/2025. He also urged teaching staff, associated staff, and administrative staff to ensure their organized attendance throughout the examinations to ensure the regularity and proper functioning of the examinations at universities and institutes.

In addition, Dr. Ayman Ashour praised the efforts of various and regular universities in the implementation of the presidential initiative " A new Bedaya for human construction", and the provision of services in geographical regions. The Universities have launched many development convoys throughout the Republic to serve citizens to activate the role of universities in the service of society and the development of the environment at the level of all governorates.

The Minister of Higher Education emphasized that promoting innovation and transforming scientific research outputs into products of economic value to serve the national economy is one of the Ministry's priorities following the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. He also referred to the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development", which aims to achieve tremendous development in the Egyptian regions by integrating the efforts of universities, industry, and the State stressing that the initiative contributes to the use of scientific research to serve the needs of the industry. It aims to support the national economy. Hence, he noted that the initiative operates at the level of Egypt's seven provinces and each region's resources are consolidated to address developmental and societal challenges in many areas, guided by the need for universities to continue to implement the objectives of the initiative.

The Minister also stressed that the Ministry directs internationalizing the "Alliance and Development" initiative by expanding international partnerships with several countries, as well as benefiting from its expertise in linking research outputs to industry, noting that working on the ground has contributed significantly to bridging the gap between the university's study programs, scientific research, and industry needs to meet the needs of the labor market.

Thus, the Minister directed the intensification of community participation of universities in cooperation with the "A Life of Dignity (Haya Karima)" initiative, through the launch of (Medical, veterinary, and agricultural convoys), as well as educational seminars, events, and various activities. As well, he indicated that capacity-building will be undertaken, further efforts in the health, environmental, veterinary, and social fields, as well as increased efforts of universities in literacy in cooperation with the General Authority for Adult Education, to operationalize the role of universities in the service of society and environmental development.

The Minister further commended the inclusion of the 42 Egyptian universities in the Thames classification of higher education in its version for the Arab region for 2024. The 48 Egyptian universities were also included in the results of the Arab classification of universities for 2024. The inclusion of 26 Egyptian universities in the QS sustainability classification version for 2025, an increase of 3 universities from last year's version. The Minister also pointed out that universities should continue to support researchers to increase scientific publishing in prestigious scientific journals; To upgrade the rankings of Egyptian universities in the world's largest rankings.

As well, the Council listened to a report on the main activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in December, including Dr. Mostafa Madbouly's meeting with the Ministers of Higher Education and Finance; To follow up on the executive position of the equipment of the new National Institute of Oncology in Sheikh Zayed " 500 500 Hospital " where the hospital is a strong addition to the health care system, especially for the treatment of oncological patients. The meeting also discussed the position regarding the admission of university students for the academic year 2024/2025, both at the university level and for postgraduate studies. This year, a significant increase in students who want to attend Egyptian universities became apparent. The meeting also discussed developments in the modernization of the system of cultural offices abroad, given its pivotal role in providing many educational services and establishing many cultural activities and events, as well as supporting partnership projects in the field of education with many countries.

Furthermore, the Minister of Higher Education witnessed the celebration of Cairo University's 19^th Flag Day, and several Cairo University scholars, researchers, and public figures, were honored; In recognition of their outstanding scientific and research contributions and their role in serving the community.

Thus, Dr. Ayman Ashour reviewed the results of his visit to Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and the Minister participated in the events of the UNESCO Forum 2024 on "Higher education in Africa", entitled "Engine for sustainable development". The Minister also met with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Kenyan House of Representatives Committee on Education, who discussed ways of cooperating and reviewing the higher education system in the two countries. As well, Dr. Ayman Ashour also met with the Kenyan Minister of Education and the Ministry leaders to discuss current cooperation programs and ways of developing them in the common interests of the two countries.

Hence, Dr. Ayman Ashour chaired the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Presidential Initiative "Alliance and Development", which is the fruit of all efforts to implement the initiative, and which has since its launch been sponsored by President Abdelfattah El-Sisi of the Republic, and has been continuously followed up by the political leadership for all steps to implement it, in recognition of the great importance of the initiative and the keenness to realize its vision of achieving a development boom in the different geographical regions of Egypt.

Moreover, Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of cooperation protocols for the third phase to establish 7 centers to serve students with disabilities in 7 government universities, in cooperation with Amidest, where 7 centers will be established in universities (Minya, Banha, Matrouh, Menoufia, Port Said, Aswan, and Kafr El Sheikh), bringing the total number of centers to 27 in 27 government universities.

Therefore, the Minister of Higher Education witnessed the closing ceremony of the first phase of the "Empowerment (Tamkeen)" initiative to raise awareness of the rights and duties of students of determination at Egyptian universities, which was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic, in the presence of the Ministers of Labor, Culture, Education, at the Naval Monastery "Temple of Hatshepsut" in Luxor.

Then, the Minister of Higher Education participated in the panel discussion held at the annual conference of the National Council for People with Disabilities under the auspices of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister.

Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the opening of the Soviet and Russian University Graduate Forum, and the Minister noted the importance of Egypt's accession to BRICS and its network of universities represents a strategic step towards promoting scientific and cultural exchange with member states.

As well, Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Cairo University, Oxford University's Ovarian Cancer Cell Laboratory, Germfree Company, and the Kering Cross Health Foundation; To develop new oncology strategies within the university hospitals and transfer advanced oncology therapy technology.

In addition, Dr. Ayman Ashour inaugurated the Liver Transplant Centre at Mansoura University, which is the largest medical Center in the Middle East and Africa at a cost of 1 billion pounds, aimed at absorbing the growing number of patients and eliminating waiting lists for liver transplantation at Mansoura University.

The report referred to the holding of numerous meetings with ministers, ambassadors, foreign officials, and delegations of foreign universities; To explore mechanisms to promote joint scientific and research cooperation.

Additionally, Dr. Adel Abdul Ghaffar, the Media Adviser and Spokesperson of the Ministry stated that the Council agreed on several proposals that could be followed to verify the validity of the certificates submitted by the recipients of degrees from foreign universities before considering their equivalence by the Department of Degree Equivalence of the Higher Council of Universities.

The spokesperson added that the Council was informed of the establishment of the Human Rights Unit as an independent administrative unit in universities (Suez - Helwan - Menoufia - Damanhur - Kafr el-Sheikh - Assiut - Mansoura - Alexandria - Fayoum) and the adoption of its administrative regulations, in the light of the central human rights unit established by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Council was informed of the launch of the e-platform for the activities and achievements of the sector of community service and environmental development in Egyptian government universities which aims to present all activities and achievements of the community service and environmental development sector of government universities in the form of statistical data; Complete files, including activities carried out by universities individually or in partnership with other universities through regional alliances or with industry partners, and others in the region. These activities are aimed at advancing the University's surrounding society in various fields inclusive development convoys and educational and awareness seminars to counter extremist ideas and combat human trafficking, and illegal migration, assisting people of disabilities, as well as discovering societal problems, seeking and working on possible solutions and other activities undertaken by the community service and environmental development sector of universities. These activities and events are presented to university leaders, relevant authorities, and decision-makers.