Ashour: Supporting innovation is a priority in the Ministry's work

Linking research plans to the needs of each region within the "Alliance and Development" initiative

Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, chaired the 181st session of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Council meeting, attended by Dr. Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President of the Republic for Health and Prevention Affairs, Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, Dr. Gina Al-Fiqi, Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and other council members.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the intensified focus on supporting innovation in scientific research as a major direction of the state, highlighting the various research activities and scientific events organized through all research centers and affiliated entities of the ministry, ensuring they contribute to the sustainable development of the country.

The Minister stressed the importance of directing the scientific research agenda to support development pathways and linking research outputs to the needs of key sectors of development in various fields, particularly supporting national industries. The goal is to employ the research process to serve the national economy and provide locally applicable products, ensuring that research plans align with the principles of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research and Egypt's Vision 2030.

The Minister noted the importance of directing research efforts within each region to meet the needs of the seven regions in coordination with the executive council of the "Alliance and Development" initiative, which is honored by the support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He stressed the importance of achieving synergy between the efforts of researchers and scientists within each region and integrating with relevant industrial entities.

The Minister also highlighted the role of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology in supporting research projects, directing the specialized committees to develop a map of the needs of each of the seven regional alliances, as a precursor to formulating research plans that address these needs.

Dr. Awad Tag El-Din emphasized the importance of maximizing the benefit from the expertise of Egyptian researchers and scientists in achieving the state's sustainable development goals, highlighting the great capabilities of Egyptian researchers and the need to employ them in achieving the desired progress and development of the nation.

Several attendees presented their visions on developing the scientific research system, supporting innovation, leveraging scientific research to serve Egyptian industries, and enhancing the utilization of research outputs to meet development needs.

During the meeting, Dr. Gina Al-Fiqi presented an overview of the achievements and outcomes of the academy's programs and initiatives, including the Egyptian Genome Project, the National Initiative for Manufacturing an Electric Car, the Green Innovation Project at the Climate Conference, the Child University Project, the Next Generation Scientists Program, the Basic Sciences Support Initiative, the Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program, and various student competitions to support academically outstanding university students. The vision for the academy's work in the coming period to achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research was also reviewed.