Minister of Higher Education Chaired Supreme Council of Universities Meeting at the Ministry Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital

Minister of Higher Education Directives:
• Continue providing medical and therapeutic services at university hospitals for the wounded and injured from Gaza.
• Focus on transforming scientific research outputs into products that contribute to the national economy.
• Emphasize the promotion of a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, linking scientific research to developmental plans and community needs.
• Enhance the role of universities as a primary driver for innovation and sustainable development.
Council Approvals:
• Establishment of a Cairo University branch in Doha.
• Establishment of a Cairo University branch in Riyadh.
The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting today, Saturday, chaired by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, with the presence of Prof. Mustafa Rifaat, Secretary of the Council, and council members, at the Ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
In line with the directives of Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to cooperate and coordinate among various concerned parties to provide all forms of support to our brothers in Gaza, Prof. Ayman Ashour directed the continuation of medical and therapeutic services at university hospitals for the wounded and injured from Gaza after Egypt successfully collaborated with regional and international partners to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The minister emphasized the need to focus on transforming scientific research outputs into products that contribute to the national economy, in addition to promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, linking scientific research to developmental plans and community needs.
Prof. Ayman Ashour confirmed that enhancing the role of innovation is a top priority in the current phase, aligning with the state's interest in maximizing the role of universities in economic development, creating a stimulating environment for knowledge production, and enhancing scientific research. This includes increasing cooperation between universities and the industry, supporting the country's competitiveness regionally and globally, utilizing scientific research to address economic challenges, and achieving sustainable development goals and Egypt's Vision 2030. He emphasized the importance of universities benefiting from scientific research outputs to produce competitive products that have a tangible impact, positively contributing to the industrial community and the national economy. Prof. Ayman Ashour praised the diverse and organized efforts of universities in implementing the presidential initiative "A New Beginning for Building the Human," providing various services in different geographical regions, where universities launched many developmental convoys across the republic to serve citizens, thus activating the role of universities in community service and environmental development across all governorates.
The minister affirmed the necessity for universities to continue fostering belonging among students and to develop plans to intensify awareness campaigns to combat unhealthy ideas. He also highlighted the importance of universities continuing to support and discover talented, gifted, and innovative students, providing all necessary support, receiving and developing their research and innovative ideas, which contributes to transforming their innovative ideas into marketable products competitively and helps create marketing opportunities for them.
The council listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during February, including a meeting of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi with Prof. Mustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to follow up on the status of national projects undertaken by the Ministry, including the establishment of private universities, digital transformation, and service automation, as well as updates on the implementation of presidential initiatives related to higher education and scientific research. Additionally, the council reviewed the efforts made by university hospitals to receive the injured and wounded from Gaza, where the president directed the continuation of medical and therapeutic services at university hospitals for the victims.
Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prof. Mustafa Madbouly and Prof. Ayman Ashour to follow up on the implementation status of construction works in educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as the state's efforts to develop scientific aspects in universities and research institutions in Egypt. The meeting also included updates on the progress of establishing private universities nationwide to accommodate the increasing number of students in higher education institutions, as well as efforts in digital transformation and the automation of educational and research services, whether in universities or other institutions affiliated with the Ministry. The meeting emphasized enhancing the use of technology in the educational process and using digital means to improve the delivery of educational content and student interaction, confirming the need to develop facilities and buildings within the higher education system and applying digitization systems and programs to modernize higher education and all fields of scientific research.
Prof. Ayman Ashour chaired an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities to discuss solutions for students enrolled in Egyptian universities on scholarships provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, following the decision to suspend all programs of the U.S. Agency for International Development worldwide for 90 days. The council reached a commitment from universities to cover all allocations and tuition fees previously designated by the U.S. Agency for our students until the end of the second semester. The ministry and universities will continue to support these students to face any future challenges.
The minister announced the launch of the "National Policy for Sustainable Innovation" as a strategic framework aimed at transforming Egypt into an innovative and sustainable knowledge society, focusing on four main pillars: talent availability, technology transfer, funding provision, and improving the work environment. The goal is to position Egypt among the top 50 countries in the Global Innovation Index by 2030, in line with the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Prof. Ayman Ashour also launched the competitive call for the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development" to stimulate innovation at the national level with funding reaching up to one billion EGP, signaling the start of implementing the national policy for sustainable innovation. This aims to maximize scientific research outputs as an effective factor in implementing the Egyptian government's work program for 2024-2026, focusing on forming alliances to stimulate creativity and entrepreneurship in partnership with the public and private sectors, maximizing the utilization of available resources, and exchanging accumulated experiences, which will significantly impact wealth building and enhance equality and social justice.
The minister attended a dialogue session to discuss mechanisms for implementing the national policy for sustainable innovation, with the presence of a group of university presidents, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors. The session addressed future policies and plans to support innovation and provide a stimulating environment for various sectors, along with discussing mechanisms for implementing the national policy for sustainable innovation within the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, its impact on productive and service sectors, and ways to ensure its success and effective application.
As part of his tours to monitor the regularity of studies at universities with the start of the second semester of the current academic year, Prof. Ayman Ashour visited Samannoud Technological University in Gharbia Governorate. The visit included inspecting several lecture halls, classrooms, workshops, and laboratories, ensuring the presence of faculty members and assistants to guarantee the smooth operation of the educational process.
Prof. Ayman Ashour also conducted a visit to Al-Menoufia National University to ensure the regularity of studies there, inspecting lecture halls, classrooms, and laboratories, and confirming the provision of all modern technological means to create an exceptional educational environment for students.
The minister visited Al-Menoufia University to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several medical and educational projects, which included the opening of outpatient clinics at the university hospital in Al-Menoufia, as well as the opening of outpatient clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, laying the foundation stone for the expansion of the Oncology Institute, and laying the foundation stone for the Specialized Surgery Hospital, with an estimated cost of 6 billion EGP.
Prof. Ayman Ashour chaired the fourth meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Project for the Reference Genome of Egyptians and Ancient Egyptians, highlighting the significant interest the Egyptian state places on implementing this national project due to its benefits for Egyptians, emphasizing the successes achieved by the project over three consecutive years, thanks to unprecedented support from the political leadership.
On behalf of Prof. Mustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, Prof. Ayman Ashour attended the launch ceremony of the "21st Century Skills Centers" initiative, as well as the honoring of students who won Cisco scholarships for the professional track, organized by the Education Development Fund in collaboration with Cisco.
Prof. Ayman Ashour met with the head of the Egyptian Unified Procurement, Medical Supply, and Equipment Authority to discuss cooperation in providing university hospitals with the necessary medicines, medical supplies, and essential equipment, as well as discussing the preparations for the 500 500 Hospital (Global Oncology Center) and the necessary requirements for completing the preparations, in readiness for full opening in the last quarter of 2025, according to the directives of the President of the Republic. The meeting also aimed at establishing a coordinating vision between university hospitals and the Unified Procurement Authority through the High Executive Committee of the National Strategy for University Hospitals.
The minister participated in the first ministerial meeting of the executive committee for receiving Palestinian casualties, implementing the political leadership's directives to establish specific plans and coordinate among the relevant ministries and sectors to provide the best medical services for the injured and wounded from Gaza.
Prof. Ayman Ashour, representing the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, signed a cooperation protocol with the Civil Defense and Military Forces to build new generations armed with knowledge, awareness, and national consciousness, aiming to develop national education curricula and implement joint awareness and educational activities to deepen the spirit of loyalty and belonging among university students and graduates, and to inform them of the challenges facing the state.
Prof. Ayman Ashour also signed a cooperation protocol with the Public Prosecution in the field of knowledge dissemination and benefiting from the knowledge content and educational and training services of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, as well as benefiting from educational services, workshops, training, development, and accessing content, in the presence of Prof. Mustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister.
Prof. Ayman Ashour received the Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Cairo to discuss ways of joint cooperation to achieve integration between schools and colleges of education specialized in teacher preparation, which has a significant impact on improving the quality of educational services provided to children, in addition to exploring the possibility of signing a cooperation protocol between the ministry and UNICEF to enhance relations between the ministry and the organization and support cooperation in providing childhood care programs.
The minister attended the ceremony honoring the winning teams in the television program "GENZ" at the British University in Egypt, where the competition presented outstanding ideas in various fields including (medicine, engineering, agriculture, technology). The "Gen Z" program is considered one of the largest programs supporting innovative ideas for university students and institutes in Egypt, implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education, represented by the Fund for the Care of Innovators and Talented Individuals, and the United Media Services Company, with support reaching 100 million EGP.
Prof. Ayman Ashour recorded a speech for the opening of the summit for student union leaders in Egyptian universities and institutes, which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The minister met with several factory and company owners to discuss the impact of technological universities on the labor market, and to listen to the views of factory and company owners in Gharbia Governorate and neighboring provinces regarding the skills and experiences that graduates of technological universities should possess to meet labor market requirements.
Prof. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Galala University and "E and Egypt" Company to establish a laboratory for wired and wireless communications at the university, contributing to enhancing students' capabilities in the field of digital technology and providing practical training opportunities for them, thereby enhancing their prospects in the labor market after graduation.
The minister received experts from the program "Towards the Establishment of the Egyptian Academy of Mathematical Sciences" to lay the foundation for the Egyptian Academy of Mathematical Sciences, in line with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to begin the foundational steps for establishing the Egyptian Academy of Mathematical Sciences.
The report indicated that many meetings and discussions were held with ministers, ambassadors, foreign officials, and delegations from foreign universities to explore mechanisms to enhance scientific and research cooperation.
Prof. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the media advisor and official spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the council approved the decision of the Cairo University Council to establish a branch of Cairo University in the Qatari capital, Doha, with the necessary legal measures taken in this regard.
The official spokesperson added that the council also approved the decision of the Cairo University Council to establish a branch of Cairo University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the necessary legal measures taken in this regard.
The council approved the opening of a database for scientific committees through the scientific committees' website for faculty members to update their CVs and add new members, in preparation for forming scientific committees and lists of referees for the fifteenth cycle until 6/3/2025.
The council followed up on the efforts of Egyptian universities to serve the people of Gaza since the outbreak of the crisis until now, and the report included a presentation of the services provided by universities, the most notable of which was receiving the wounded and critically injured in coordination with the crisis management department of the ministry, reserving the injured in university hospitals, and providing all necessary care for them, in addition to the daily presence of faculty members at the Rafah crossing to supervise the entry of patients and casualties from the sector regularly and daily.
The council was informed about the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Civil Defense and Military Forces and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to implement military education for female students in Egyptian universities and institutes, and the council discussed mechanisms for implementing the protocol's provisions in the coming period.
The council was informed that Benha University had established a company named "Bidaya to Market Benha University Services" (a single-member limited liability company), which is wholly owned by the university, aimed at investing in knowledge and creating an encouraging and supportive environment for science, technology, and innovation, and promoting the application of scientific research outputs and deepening local manufacturing.
The council listened to a presentation by Prof. Walid Shata, CEO of the Authority for Science, Technology, and Innovation, on the most prominent outputs of Egyptian universities in innovation and scientific research, including the authority's key programs from 2020 to 2025, which included centers of scientific excellence, capacity-building laboratories, projects directed at national challenges, funding for applied research projects, and international cooperation in technology transfer, as well as an overview of the most notable research calls and efforts to support scientific research and innovation.
The council also listened to a presentation by Prof. Tamer Mustafa, supervisor of the Innovation Development and Marketing Sector at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, on behalf of Prof. Gina El-Feki, acting head of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, regarding the most prominent outputs of Egyptian universities in innovation and scientific research, covering funded projects, the academy's role in capacity building, incubators, infrastructure support programs, initiatives, and reviewing the most significant research outputs and the academy's efforts in deepening local manufacturing and transferring and localizing low-speed vehicle technology, as well as efforts to support scientific publishing, national campaigns, graduation projects, and providing master's scholarships and participation in international competitions.