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

The Minister of Higher Education chairs the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities at Aswan University.

Minister of Higher Education directs:

Maximum readiness in university hospitals to receive wounded and injured from the Gaza Strip.

Speed of completion of controls work and announcement of the results of the first semester examinations.

The Council adopts the decisions of the University Councils to:

Establishment of a Cairo University branch in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

Establishment of Alexandria University Branch in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Establishment of a branch of Alexandria University in Malaysia.

The Council stresses the importance of strengthening universities' role as a key driver of innovation and sustainable development.

Active cooperation between universities and the National Alliance for Civil Development Action during the coming period.

The Supreme Council of Universities held its periodic meeting on Thursday, under the chairmanship of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refat, Secretary of the Council, and the Council members, at Aswan University.

The Council thanked the Aswan University Community under the chairmanship of Dr. Louai Saaduddin, President of Aswan University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

The Council congratulated Dr. Abdulaziz Konswa for renewing confidence in him and appointing him as President of Alexandria University wishing him further progress and prosperity to the University in the coming period.

According to the directives of Egyptian President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, cooperation and coordination are needed between the various stakeholders to provide all aspects of support to the brothers in Gaza. He directed Dr. Ayman Ashour to raise the maximum readiness of university hospitals to receive the wounded and injured citizens in the Gaza Strip, following Egypt's success in cooperating with regional and international partners in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research also thanked the teaching staff, associated staff, and the administrative body of universities for their full discipline in organizing the first semester examinations for the current academic year 2024/2025.

The Minister promptly directed the completion of the control work and the announcement of the results of the first semester examinations for the current university year to students at the required speed to enable them to register their curricula at the beginning of the second semester in all faculties that operate on the accredited hours' system.

Dr. Ayman Ashour also directed that all maintenance work should be completed during mid-year leave and that occupational safety equipment be available and ready in all university buildings and facilities to ensure the safety of all members of the academic community. This is part of the universities' readiness to start study in the second semester.

The Minister stressed the importance of intensifying the efforts of universities during the leave period in implementing activities and events and launching medical, veterinary, and agricultural convoys, as well as holding educational seminars and various events and activities, and contributing positively to capacity-building in the health, environmental, veterinary and social fields, in cooperation with the initiative "Hayat Karma", to activate the role of universities in serving society and environmental development at the level of all governorates.

The Minister stressed the need for universities to continue to promote university students' affiliation and to develop plans to intensify awareness-raising campaigns for students to combat non-equitable ideas.

Dr. Ayman Ashour praised the efforts of various universities in the regular implementation of the presidential initiative "New Start for Human Construction", and the provision of several services in various geographical regions. Universities have launched many development convoys throughout the Republic to serve citizens, activate the role of universities in society service, and develop the environment at the level of all governorates.

The Council heard a report on the main activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in January on the top of which, the meeting of President Abdelfattah el-Sisi with Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to follow up on implementing the State's plans to improve the quality of university education and link it to the labor market and development needs. He presented the Government's program to accommodate the steady increase in the number of university students and international students, and the ongoing efforts to create a dormitory for international students to accommodate the boom in this context. In addition, presenting developments in implementing the "Alliance and Development" initiative to promote cooperation between universities and industry, and developments in the initiative "Egyptian Knowledge Bank" to contribute to upgrading the classification of Egyptian universities, institutions, and research centers internationally and to promote the knowledge economy and take advantage of Egypt's enormous human potential. In addition to presenting efforts to develop university hospitals, increase their numbers, provide educational and training programs at the highest levels, provide modern treatment services, and stressing the importance of providing all means of support for existing and new initiatives in the field of higher education, as well as strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian human resources regionally and internationally, and seeking to transform Egypt into a regional destination attractive for outstanding university education, whether through various Egyptian universities or by expanding the establishment of branches of high-ranking foreign universities in Egypt.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly met with Dr. Ayman Ashour to review the development plan of the Cairo University Hospital "Qasr al-Aini." The project contributes to providing outstanding medical services to over 2 million citizens annually at the level of the governorates of the Republic. The meeting also discussed the proposal to provide new land to accommodate new numbers of students wishing to join Helwan University.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of an understanding memorandum to establish a leading campus for the Exeter British University in Egypt. It is the first of its kind on the African continent of the British Russell Group of Universities.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education met several publishers from international publishing houses, and the importance of cooperation between the Egyptian Knowledge Bank and international publishing houses was stressed.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly also witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding between the Egyptian Knowledge Bank on one side, and both the Union of Arab Universities and the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, individually, to expand the umbrella of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank's services regionally.

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Dr. Ayman Ashour also witnessed the signing of several contracts internationalizing the services of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and a group of international publishers. This enables Knowledge Bank to provide publisher services to entities and universities outside Egypt. The signing ceremony included the announcement by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with the international publisher Elsevier of the launch of the Egyptian Knowledge Index. It is a leading analytical tool aimed at comprehensively and accurately evaluating Egypt's research performance that includes for the first time the totality of Egyptian research outputs published locally and internationally research and scientific periodicals published in Arabic for the first time with the same international standards, which supports research in the fields of humanities and social sciences.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, Dr. Ayman Ashour participated in the "End of the Year of Egyptian-Chinese Partnership" ceremony organized by the People's Republic of China's Embassy. The Minister expressed his deep pride in the outstanding partnership between the two countries and his constant desire to strengthen this cooperation in the interests of the two friendly peoples.

Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the inauguration of the genetic property of cystic fibrosis patients (TRIKAFTA) for the first time in Egypt, as well as signing a cooperation protocol between the faculties of medicine of Ain Shams and Zagazig Universities in the field of liver transplantation from living donors, in addition to opening new projects in the medical city of Ain Shams University after its development.

The Minister of Higher Education witnessed a workshop on QS World Classification, and the potential efforts of universities to obtain advanced positions within the classification were reviewed. In addition to the most prominent indicators that help advance classifications and the identification of university evaluation criteria, best practices for classifying QS in the world and the Arab region, showing the rankings of Egyptian universities compared to their international counterparts and highlighting the strengths of the top universities in the front of the rankings.

Dr. Ayman Ashour chaired the first meeting of the new session of the committees of the university education sectors of the Supreme Council of Universities (2025-2028) to discuss the performance plan of the Council's sector committees during the coming period, considering achieving the objectives of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research launched the program initiative (Egypt GATE "Nobough"), which aims to prepare and equip talented children and youth under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and through cooperation with various bodies and ministries. The program connects talented school students to Egyptian universities and institutes at an early stage and equips them with scientific and creative skills for study and scientific research at Egyptian universities and institutes. In addition to the availability of educational opportunities for students of exceptional ability and performance in various fields.

The Minister chaired the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Innovators Support Fund in its new composition. The Board discussed the main programs and activities implemented by the Fund in 2024, the planned activities during the new year 2025, and the Fund's strategy until 2030, which targets university and pre-university education as well as entrepreneurs and researchers.

Dr. Ayman Ashour met with the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and discussed coordinating efforts in the areas of research and innovation, technical training, and vocational guidance to serve the sustainable development goals of the African continent and support implementing the "Open Science" initiative in Egypt, exploring the promotion of digital transformation efforts in the providing the Egyptian scientific materials on the Internet, as well as exploring ways of cooperating in the implementing several joint events and activities, and collaborating in important events organized by the organization this year.

The Minister of Higher Education headed a high-level delegation of university presidents and members of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals to inspect the Rafah border crossing, as part of an assurance of the crossing's readiness to receive the wounded and injured in the Gaza Strip and to provide all support to the siblings in Gaza. The visit followed Egypt's success in cooperation with regional and international partners in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Dr. Ayman Ashour also chaired the emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals. The Council discussed the executive plan to provide medical services to the people of Gaza, which includes specific stages to receive and provide the necessary care for the injured, follow up the readiness of university hospitals in the Canal region to deal with complex cases, equip teaching staff for immediate medical intervention and provide support to hospitals in North Sinai and the Canal cities.

The Minister also held an extensive meeting with medical personnel at university hospitals in the Faculty of Medicine of Al-Arish University. It was emphasized that a comprehensive plan was prepared to provide all medical services to our brothers in Gaza. The plan focuses on meeting their needs and providing the necessary support. The plan was reviewed to provide medical and health services to the people of Gaza.

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

Dr. Adel Abdul Ghaffar, Media Adviser and Spokesperson of the Ministry, stated that the Council adopted the Cairo University Council's decision to establish a branch of Cairo University in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, with the necessary legal action in this regard.

The spokesperson added that the Council adopted the decision of Alexandria University Council to establish a branch of Alexandria University in the Principality of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, taking the necessary legal action in this regard.

The Council adopted the decision of the Alexandria University Council to establish a branch of Alexandria University in Malaysia, taking the necessary legal action in this regard.

The Council approved the completion of the procedures for allocating an area of 49,310 square meters to establish the Integrated University Complex in the Egyptian University Area of the New Administrative Capital, as well as the headquarters of the Supreme Council of Universities.

The Council approved the list of universities to be opened for candidates to select university presidents. They are Beni Suef University, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Matrouh University, Al-Arish University, and Hurghada University.

The Council adopted Benha University's Visual Identity Guide.

The Council has followed the efforts of Egyptian universities to serve the people of Gaza since the outbreak of the crisis. The report included the presentation of the services provided by universities, including the providing medical and therapeutic services at university hospitals, launching medical convoys, fundraising and providing medicines, launching blood donation campaigns, support for escorts of injured cases, initiatives to support students in cooperation with civil society organizations, and providing doctors at the border port to contribute to the treatment of injured people.

The Council heard a presentation by Dr. Husam Othman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, on the role of universities as a key driver of innovation and sustainable development, starting with a review of regional and global experiences and a prelude to the launch of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development" and the National Innovation Policy next February intending to employ innovation to create value and promote sustainability in all productive and service sectors in line with the objective of universities to support national strategies. The presentation also discussed the final features of the Ministry's strategy to upgrade higher education and scientific research through artificial intelligence technology to enhance quality of life, growth, and the competitiveness of the State regionally and globally.

The Council also heard a presentation by Ambassador Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance for Civil Development Action, on the goals, visions, and strategies of the Alliance to achieve the integration, build a database of volunteers, assist and encourage them to volunteer and create an effective umbrella for all community service entities. The Alliance's efforts over the past three years and the Alliance's strategic objectives, which include promoting the concept of volunteerism and community participation, social and economic development, social justice, environmental protection, maximization and sustainability of resources, governance of community-based development work, and consolidation of databases have also been reviewed. Mr. Hatem Metwally, Vice President of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance, reviewed the project of the interactive volunteering platform "Insan", which is Egypt's first and largest integrated interactive online platform for volunteerism, to provide an effective interactive environment for connecting volunteers with various volunteer opportunities and initiatives that meet their needs and aspirations and contribute to developing their skills and enhancing their role in community development.

Ambassador Nabila Makram commended the fruitful cooperation with Egyptian universities, the role of university youth in supporting volunteerism, and the importance of continuing to exploit their energies in supporting volunteerism and supporting the efforts of the National Alliance for Civil Development Action.

The meeting tackled the university presidents’ views to activate the role of university students in supporting civil work during the coming period. Coordination was agreed upon through the Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Universities and the Technical Secretariat of the Alliance during the next period to develop the operational mechanisms for comprehensive cooperation programs between universities and the National Alliance for Civil Development Action during the next period.

Dr. Cyril Clark, Executive Vice-President and Academic Director of Virginia Tech University, made a Presentation on the University's vision for cross-border cooperation, noting that the University offers 280 bachelor's, postgraduate, and professional programs. It has more than 38 thousand undergraduate and postgraduate students and 2575 teaching staff members. Research expenditure is about $419 million, one of the highest in the United States of America in terms of research expenditure. It is concerned with the transboundary education system, the promotion of learning and discovery among different disciplines, postgraduate education and training based on scientific research, and the University's interest in creating a distinct learning environment.

The Council also heard a presentation on the e-platform for the activities of community service and environment development sector of Egyptian universities. The platform aims to present all activities and achievements of the community service and environment development sector of government universities in the form of statistical data and complete files, including activities carried out by universities individually or in partnership with other universities through regional alliances or industry partners. These activities are aimed at advancing the University's surrounding society in various fields. such as launching comprehensive development convoys, organizing educational and awareness seminars to counter extremist ideas, combating human trafficking and illegal migration, and assisting disabled people, as well as discovering societal problems, seeking possible solutions, and working towards their implementation and other activities undertaken by the community service and environment development sector of universities. These activities and events are presented to university leaders, stakeholders, and decision-makers.

General Directorate of the Media Office and Spokesperson.