(((Quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research))) 

Minister of Higher Education chairs meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities at Cairo University  

• The Council congratulates Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa on the political leadership's confidence in him to assume the position of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 

• The Council thanks Dr. Ayman Ashour, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for his fruitful efforts in advancing the higher education and scientific research system. 

• The Council congratulates the new university presidents and wishes them success and gratitude to the outgoing university presidents in appreciation of their distinguished efforts during the past period.  

The Minister of Higher Education directs: 

• Continuing to develop university hospitals to improve the health services provided to citizens. 

• Accelerating the comprehensive automation and digital transformation of the work system within universities. 

• Developing the performance of faculty development centers to ensure the achievement of their objectives. 

• Linking university research plans to the challenges facing different geographical regions. 

• Universities to continue implementing the objectives of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, with a focus on innovation and the knowledge economy. 

• Maximizing the use of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank to support the scientific research system in Egypt.  

• The Council witnesses the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Al-Azhar University and Damanhour University. 

• The Council witnesses the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Al-Azhar University and Suez University. 

• The Council witnesses the signing of a cooperation protocol between the African Graduate Faculty at Cairo University and the Institute for African and Nile Basin Research and Studies at Aswan University.  

The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting, chaired by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and the members of the Council, at Cairo University headquarters.  

The Council thanked the Cairo University community, headed by Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadiq, President of the University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.  

At the beginning of the meeting, the members of the Supreme Council of Universities congratulated Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa on the political leadership's confidence in appointing him Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, wishing him continued success and affirming their cooperation with him to continue efforts to achieve the desired development in the higher education and scientific research system.  

The members of the Supreme Council of Universities also thanked and appreciated Dr. Ayman Ashour, former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for his fruitful efforts in advancing the higher education and scientific research system during the past period, wishing him continued success and guidance.  

Therefore, the Council congratulated Dr. Yahya Eid on his appointment as President of Kafr El Sheikh University, wishing him continued success and progress. The Council also congratulated Dr. Ayman Abdel Majeed on his appointment as President of Al-Arish University, wishing him continued success and progress. Then, the Council congratulated Dr. Nasser Abdelbari on his appointment as President of Sadat City University, wishing him continued success and progress in the coming period. The Council also congratulated Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdelhakim on his appointment as Acting President of Alexandria University, wishing him continued success and progress.  

Moreover, the Council thanked the outgoing university presidents for their outstanding efforts in developing their academic institutions during their tenure. The Council thanked Dr. Hassan Al-Damardash for his outstanding efforts during his presidency of Al-Arish University, wishing him continued success and progress. The Council also thanked Dr. Ismail Ibrahim for his outstanding efforts during his tenure as President of Kafr El Sheikh University, wishing him continued success and prosperity. The Council also thanked Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Azab for his outstanding efforts during his tenure as President of Sadat City University, wishing him continued success and prosperity.  

The Council observed a minute of silence in memory of Dr. Mufid Shehab, Professor of International Law at Cairo University, former President of the University, and former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, praying to God Almighty to grant him His mercy, admit him to His paradise, and inspire his family with patience and solace.  

At the beginning of the meeting, the minister stressed the importance of cooperation in facing all the challenges facing the education and research system in Egypt, emphasizing the need for collective work as a single team in addressing the various challenges facing universities.  

The minister pointed out the importance of innovation, stressing the need to focus on scientific research outputs that can contribute to providing scientific solutions to economic, social, health, and environmental challenges, thereby supporting comprehensive and sustainable development, promoting integration between scientific research, education, and industry, and contributing to supporting national development projects in various sectors. 

Dr. Qanswa also pointed out the vital role of university hospitals and the need to continue developing them to improve the health services provided to citizens, considering them a fundamental arm of the state in providing health services to citizens, especially in light of the increasing reliance on them by citizens. He noted the distinction of university hospitals in having outstanding medical staff. He also highlighted the importance of continued integration between university hospitals and Ministry of Health hospitals in providing excellent services to citizens.  

The minister stressed the importance of training and qualifying university leaders to gain experience that will enable them to face various challenges, in cooperation with universities and international institutions with leading experience in developing the capabilities and qualifications of university leaders.  

The minister stressed the need to accelerate the comprehensive mechanization and digital transformation of the work system within universities, through a clear timetable that must be adhered to, thereby contributing to improving the quality of the educational process and scientific research.  

The minister also directed universities to establish marketing units to promote their academic programs and study systems, highlighting the advantages they offer for studying at all levels.  

Dr. Abdelaziz Qanswa pointed to the need to maximize the benefits of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank as a presidential initiative that supports the scientific research system in Egypt, explaining that the scientific, cultural, and research resources provided by the bank contribute to enhancing the quality of education and scientific research and support the advancement of Egyptian universities and research institutions in regional and international rankings.  

The Council listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during February, The most notable of these was the meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Board of Trustees of the National Academy for Training and Qualifying Youth, attended by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Abdel Aziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, clarifying the most important directives of the President at this meeting and focusing on capacity building.  

The report added that under the generous patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, Dr. Abdel Aziz Qanswa attended the Alexandria Library International Award ceremony at the Alexandria Library.  

The report stated that the minister conducted an extensive inspection tour of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research headquarters in the new capital. The tour included inspecting the technical offices, reviewing the various departments within the ministry, and listening to a detailed explanation of the work mechanisms and specialisations of each department, as part of his keenness to closely monitor the smooth running of work across the ministry's various sectors.  

The report stated that the minister received a delegation from Rowan University and representatives of Modern Education Services (MES) as part of the follow-up on the implementation of the previously signed memorandum of understanding on the establishment of Rowan University's first international branch in Egypt in the new capital. 

The report highlighted the minister's meeting with the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt to discuss areas of cooperation between the banking sector and higher education and scientific research institutions in Egypt, as part of the Egyptian state's vision to invest in human resources and support the development of the education system.  

At the invitation of Dr. Abdelaziz Qanswa, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of Ain Shams Private University was held, and the chairman and vice-chairman of the university's board of trustees were selected.  

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of Sadat City Private University was also held at the invitation of Dr. Abdelaziz Qanswa, and the chairman and vice-chairman of the university's board of trustees were selected.  

The report stated that the minister held a meeting with several presidents of private universities affiliated with public universities to follow up on the regularity of the educational process in the second semester.  

The report added that the minister received the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between Egyptian universities and the Arab Open University.  

Dr. Abdulaziz Qanswa stressed the need to develop the performance of faculty development centers by developing a comprehensive vision to ensure their effectiveness in achieving their objectives.  

The minister noted that universities are continuing to implement the objectives of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, with a particular focus on innovation and the knowledge economy in the coming period, while encouraging researchers to cooperate in implementing this approach.  

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, media advisor and official spokesperson for the ministry, said that the council witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Al-Azhar University and Damanhour University, to enhance academic and administrative cooperation, exchange scientific publications and information, develop and implement seminars, forums, workshops, and conferences, cooperate in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal skills programs, and focus on joint student activities. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, and Dr. Elhamy Trabis, President of Suez University.  

The spokesperson added that the council witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Al-Azhar University and Suez University, to enhance academic cooperation, organise seminars, forums, workshops, conferences, cooperate in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal skills programs, and cooperate in career guidance, services, and student activities. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, and Dr. Ashraf Hnijal, President of Suez University.  

The spokesperson added that the council also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Faculty of African Studies at Cairo University and the Institute for African and Nile Basin Studies at Aswan University. The protocol aims to cooperate in organising workshops and mutual visits to transfer scientific expertise, exchange teaching staff members and associated staff, and jointly supervise scientific theses. The cooperation protocol was signed by Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadiq, President of Cairo University, and Dr. Louay Saad El-Din Nasrat, President of Aswan University.  

The Council followed up on the renewal of licenses and technical support for information network protection devices at public universities to protect them from cyber-attacks.  

The Council reviewed a report on Benha University's efforts in the field of internationalization during the period (2024/2025). The report noted that the university has adopted a growing vision that reflects its ongoing efforts to open to the academic world and strengthen its position among prestigious international universities, building academic partnerships, and providing a comprehensive and supportive educational environment for students that helps them integrate academically and socially, thereby enhancing cultural diversity on campus.  

The Council approved an amendment to the composition of the Cultural Relations Committee of the Supreme Council of Universities by adding new members.