The Minister of Higher Education chairs the Supreme Council of Universities meeting at Port Said University and emphasizes activating the role of research centers, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship within universities.

El Gisr – Exclusive

The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting, chaired by Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mostafa Rifaat, Council Secretary, and the council members, at Port Said University. The council expressed its gratitude to the Port Said University community, headed by Dr. Sherif Saleh, President of the University, for hosting the Supreme Council meeting. The council also congratulated Dr. Mahfouz Abdelstar on his appointment as President of Hurghada University.

Dr. Ashour emphasized the necessity for universities to prepare for the first semester exams of the current academic year, stressing the importance of completing all academic and administrative preparations, and ensuring the presence of faculty members, assistant staff, and administrative personnel throughout the exam period to guarantee smooth and proper conduct of exams at universities and institutes.

The minister directed the activation of the role of research centers, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship incubators within universities, encouraged international publication in prestigious scientific journals, and supported applied research aligned with sustainable development plans, in line with achieving the objectives of the National Strategy for Sustainable Innovation.

The council reviewed a report on the key activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during December, including Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, meeting with the Minister to review the outcomes of the “Alliance and Development” initiative, aimed at enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship through regional alliances involving universities, research, industry, and entrepreneurs.

Under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and in the presence of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and a number of ministers, Dr. Ashour inaugurated the IRC EXPO 2025, the International Exhibition for Marketing Research Outputs and Innovation, one of Egypt’s key national events supporting innovation, scientific research, and connecting education with industrial needs. The minister also announced the results of the Presidential Initiative “Alliance and Development” competition, signing agreements with winning alliances, and presented Egypt’s national vision for scientific research on the sidelines of hosting the Triannual General Assembly for Academy Partnerships.

The Ministry, in cooperation with the European Union delegation in Egypt, launched “Egypt-EU Research and Innovation Week,” the largest event since Egypt joined the “Horizon Europe” program, celebrating twenty years of Egyptian-European cooperation in science and technology, marking a new milestone in scientific collaboration between the two sides.

The report noted that Dr. Ashour inaugurated the 124th regular session of the Executive Council of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in Cairo, followed by the 23rd meeting of Arab General Secretaries.

Dr. Ashour also opened the Fifth Forum of the Union of Russian and Arab University Presidents at the Capital University (formerly Helwan), inaugurated the first construction phase of the University Medical Complex serving South Cairo, and signed new agreements with Russia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Science to support joint cooperation.

During field visits, Dr. Ashour inspected the Higher Institutes Complex in Beni Suef, inaugurating the main auditorium and meeting with faculty members, as well as visiting the New Mansoura Private University, inspecting several academic and research facilities, and attending the graduation ceremony of its first cohort, awarding excellence certificates to outstanding students.

He also toured the Electronics Research Institute in New Nozha, inspected the Science and Technology City, reviewed the institute’s research products and applied models supporting local industry, launched the official website for the city, and met graduates of scholarships and training programs.

Dr. Ashour witnessed the joining of three Egyptian cities (Cairo, Mansoura, and Shebin El-Kom) to UNESCO’s Learning Cities Network for 2025, following approval of nominations by the Egyptian National Commission for UNESCO.

He oversaw the signing of a trilateral agreement between the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UNDP to transform Egypt into a sustainable innovative knowledge society, implementing the national sustainable innovation policy.

Dr. Ashour also inaugurated the Conference of the Tourism and Hotels Sector Committee of the Supreme Council of Universities, holding specialized workshops to deepen scientific and practical discussions on tourism issues.

The report highlighted the minister honoring Egyptian university students who won awards in Egypt’s delegation to the 10th World University Championship in Barcelona, Spain, and winners of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry, in cooperation with Scimago, Elsevier, and the Arab Union of Research Councils, announced the fourth edition of the Scimago ranking for research centers in the MENA region, with four Egyptian centers among the top ten, and the National Research Center maintaining first place.

Dr. Ashour witnessed the signing of a partnership agreement and the launch of the “Raya” program to train university doctors in early diagnosis and treatment of rare pediatric diseases, in cooperation with the Supreme Council of University Hospitals and AstraZeneca Egypt.

The report also included the announcement of winners of the public draw for the 2026 Hajj season among ministry staff, and Dr. Ashour attended the Third Genome Day celebration, presenting updates on the Egyptian and Ancient Egyptian Reference Genome project.

The minister met the first cohort of PhD scholarship candidates for 2025/2026, funded jointly by the governments of Egypt and France, as part of the executive scholarship program extending until 2030.

Dr. Ashour held an extended meeting with the Minister of Public Business Sector to discuss cooperation between ministries, strategic project expansions, and the establishment of Egypt’s first integrated educational university city in the Delta region to meet growing demand for higher and technological education.

He chaired several important meetings, including the Executive Committee of Scholarships, the Board of Trustees of the Innovators and Talents Fund, the Electronics Research Institute, and the Egyptian Sports Federation for Universities.

The report concluded with the minister’s meetings with ambassadors, officials, university presidents, and foreign delegations, including the French ambassador, JICA’s vice president, the African Union’s Commissioner for Education, Science, and Innovation, the British ambassador, and representatives from UCAM University (Spain) and Dresden University of Technology (Germany), discussing collaborations in higher education and research.

The council also signed several cooperation protocols between Port Said University and Sadat City University, the National Water Research Center, the Petroleum Research Center, and the Suez Canal Container Company, aiming at joint research, training, workshops, and practical student internships to meet labor market needs.

Dr. Adel Abdelghafar, the Ministry’s media advisor and spokesperson, stated that the council approved the model strategic plan for university education sector committees for 2025, to guide each sector’s committee in preparing its strategy.

The council also reviewed the strategic plan of Qena University (2024–2030) and approved the launch of the third Egyptian Student Participation Survey, running from January to July 2026, targeting final-year students to evaluate education quality, enhance communication channels, and foster a culture of active participation.

Finally, the council was informed of Port Said University’s approval to establish “Injaz” company at the university, and reviewed the 18th African Strategic Report from the Cairo Higher Institute for African Studies, analyzing political, economic, social, and developmental trends across Africa.