06/09/2024

The Supreme Council for Community Service and Environmental Development Holds its Regular Meeting

Key highlights from the meeting:

• Discussion on the mechanism for measuring and evaluating the industrial impact of innovation and scientific research in universities.

• Approval of new regulations for safe handling and management of hazardous waste.

• Universities' achievements in the "100 Million Trees" initiative with the planting of 112,581 trees and reclamation of 660 acres.

• The role of universities in the "Decent Life" initiative through comprehensive development convoys in 2024.

• The council emphasizes the need to generalize best practices in energy conservation and activate renewable energy projects.

• The council commends universities for organizing awareness convoys to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking.

The Supreme Council for Community Service and Environmental Development held its regular meeting, chaired by Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, with the attendance of several university presidents and vice presidents for community service and environmental development, at Cairo University.

At the start of the meeting, Dr. Mostafa Refaat congratulated the council members on the upcoming occasion of the Prophet’s birthday, expressing his gratitude to Cairo University for hosting the meeting. He also welcomed the new vice presidents for community service and environmental development, wishing them success in their new roles.

The council listened to a detailed presentation by Dr. Hossam Othman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Innovation and Scientific Research Affairs, on the mechanism for measuring and evaluating the industrial impact of innovation and scientific research. In this regard, a committee was formed to assess the performance of universities in linking scientific research with industry and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. This committee will prepare a report that includes practical proposals and recommendations to enhance the role of universities in this area.

The council approved a report and recommendations regarding the establishment of guidelines and requirements for the safe handling and integrated management of hazardous waste, aimed at ensuring the actual application of the provisions of the Waste Management Law No. 202 of 2020. The council also approved a model for classifying waste, including organic, inorganic, chemical, and electronic waste, to facilitate its recycling or sale. The council emphasized the importance of generalizing the best practices followed by some universities in this field for broader benefit.

Additionally, the council approved a report on monitoring the implementation of a proposal to create a visual identity for each governorate of the republic, with the aim of promoting national identity, especially among youth and children. This follows the presidential directives in this regard, where a brief study was prepared based on the main elements of the study assigned to the universities, which include defining and establishing a unified definition of visual identity, the nature of the governorate/distinctive crafts, and the executive measures already taken (coordination meetings/action plans/documentary images). A guideline for visual identity was developed, including items to be applied in the governorate.

The council also discussed the approval of a model contract for leasing sales outlets in universities and its generalization to maximize benefit, taking into account the presidential directives issued to unify the formats of contracts entered into by the government, whether domestically or with external entities, using standard contract models as a reference.

The council reviewed a detailed report on universities' contributions to the "100 Million Trees" initiative in response to presidential directives. The report revealed that universities have adopted a strategic vision aimed at achieving environmental, economic, and social sustainability, with the participation of all community stakeholders within and outside the universities, to achieve sustainable development and Egypt's Vision 2030. The total number of trees and plants planted by universities as part of this initiative amounted to 112,581 trees, and a total area of 660 acres was reclaimed, with ongoing efforts to achieve the initiative's national objectives.

The council also approved a report on implementing procedures and spreading a culture of energy conservation and improving its efficiency in universities. The report included several important recommendations, such as ensuring that university procurement departments review all contracts for purchasing devices to confirm their energy efficiency, conducting regular maintenance, and upgrading the university's electrical network. The report also recommended replacing traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs, installing motion sensors to automatically control lighting, activating renewable energy projects, and establishing energy management teams at the department and unit levels. The council emphasized the importance of generalizing the good practices followed by some universities in this field.

The council took note of the efforts made by universities in organizing intensive awareness convoys throughout this year to combat and prevent the phenomena of illegal immigration and human trafficking. The council praised these initiatives, which come as part of the universities' social responsibility, emphasizing the importance of continuing and intensifying them in the coming period.

The council also took note of the universities' reports on the activities and achievements of the Community Service and Environmental Development Sector in serving the most disadvantaged areas in cooperation with the "Decent Life" initiative during the current period of 2024, through comprehensive development convoys (medical, veterinary, agricultural, etc.).