- Signing of a protocol for joint cooperation between the two countries in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and technological development.

- An inspection tour of a research and technology exhibition showcasing the latest scientific innovations.

The President of Germany from the German University in the New Administrative Capital:

- "Egypt is the mother of the world and the cradle of civilizations."

- "We have common ground with Egyptians in education, economy, industry, sustainability, and energy efficiency."

- "Egypt possesses a great treasure for the future, which is its people."

**Minister of Higher Education:**

- "We aim to create dual degree programs between Egyptian higher education institutions and their German counterparts in distinguished programs that serve the job market."

- "We call for continued scientific cooperation between researchers from both countries to address major global challenges."

Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, attended the official opening ceremony of the German International University (GIU) in the New Administrative Capital.

During the opening ceremony, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that the German International University in the New Administrative Capital represents a wonderful model of cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his admiration for the scale and pace of the work being done in the New Administrative Capital, adding that the German University in Cairo and the German International University reflect the depth of Egyptian-German relations, characterized by friendship and cooperation in various fields.

The President of Germany emphasized that societies need three essential pillars: education, a strong economy, and living in freedom and peace. He praised the new republic for blending ancient Egyptian architectural art with the modern development represented by the New Administrative Capital. He affirmed that Egypt has a great treasure for the future, its people, who inspire the world in various fields and possess innovation and creativity.

He added that there are 400,000 Egyptians learning the German language, expressing pride in the presence of German educational institutions on the land of civilization and future Egypt. He described Egypt as "the mother of the world" and expressed pride in the esteemed position of German educational institutions in Egyptian society.

The German President noted that cooperation with the Egyptian side in education and scientific research extends beyond technological education, robotics, and engineering to include industry and the economy. He also highlighted Egypt's interest in sustainability and energy efficiency as common points between the two countries.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized that Egypt has significant positive energies, but opportunities are available for ambitious youth to face challenges such as inflation and unemployment. Educational systems in both Egypt and Germany provide excellent opportunities to build a thriving economy in an atmosphere of social peace.

He also praised Egypt's role in advancing security and peace in the region and its role as an important mediator and partner in the Middle East, noting shared links and interests, and working to end the suffering of people in Gaza and prevent regional escalation.

The German President’s speech covered ancient Egyptian civilization and hieroglyphics, which the world continues to seek to understand. He affirmed that Egypt is the cradle of civilizations and the pulse of life, home to the oldest universities, the oldest healthcare systems, and the oldest currency in history, and that Egypt's momentum continues to change the world.

The German President also quoted several famous sayings from the late great Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz.

At the beginning of his speech, Dr. Ayman Ashour welcomed President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his accompanying delegation, explaining that the establishment of the German International University in the New Administrative Capital represents the strong Egyptian-German relations that have extended for more than seven decades. He noted that cooperation between the two countries enhances the status of education and scientific cooperation, especially in the current phase and the comprehensive developmental renaissance Egypt is experiencing, which requires good scientific preparation of Egyptian human resources to be able to face changes and global challenges.

The minister highlighted the depth of Egyptian-German relations in higher education, which began in 1960 through scholarships and student exchanges with the establishment of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) office in Cairo. Bridges were built between the two countries in many fields, and the German University, the largest German university outside Germany, was established in Egypt more than twenty years ago. The cooperation continued with the establishment of the German International University, which grants academic degrees based on curricula and admission standards that match those of German universities and offers a variety of programs that serve the job market.

The minister also noted the presence of several German universities in Egypt through their representation offices in Cairo, such as the Technical University of Berlin, the Technical University of Munich, the Free University of Berlin, and the University of Cologne. He looks forward to the development of these universities' presence in Egypt and the transition from representation offices to the establishment of branches of these and other distinguished German universities in Egypt, similar to the branches of foreign universities in the New Administrative Capital. He aims to create dual degree programs between Egyptian higher education institutions and their German counterparts in distinguished programs that serve the job market and equip graduates with the skills needed for future jobs.

Dr. Ayman Ashour explained that the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research aims to expand technological education, reviewing many successful agreements between Egyptian and German universities in this field. He looks forward to expanding partnership and cooperation programs in engineering, technology, applied sciences, and new technologies with the German side, aiming to establish joint programs focused on capacity building in specific areas that support development plans in both countries.

The minister also emphasized the importance of Egyptian-German cooperation in scientific and educational fields as a model for bilateral cooperation, calling for continued scientific collaboration between researchers from both countries in facing major global challenges such as climate change, resource shortages, and sustainability issues, which require joint efforts to find sustainable solutions.

Ambassador Julius Georg Löw, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German International University (GIU), added that cross-border German higher education is one of the most prominent German education projects, adhering to the highest global academic standards, with academic progress matching the architectural advancement seen in the New Administrative Capital.

He also mentioned that the German International University is the second university in Egypt alongside GUC, both of which are experiencing increasing student enrollment. The number of students enrolled at the German International University this year exceeded 5,000, due to the commitment to applying the highest quality standards in curricula, which closely align with the German university system, as well as selecting qualified academic staff and equipping laboratories with the latest German technologies provided by the German side, in addition to providing training opportunities with Egyptian-German companies and meeting the needs and requirements of the job market.

On the sidelines of the opening, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany witnessed the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement in higher education and scientific research, aiming to expand the partnership base and enhance cooperation between the two sides in scientific and academic research, knowledge transfer in light of global challenges and sustainable development aspects, and strengthening cooperation with the economic and industrial sectors. The agreement also focuses on establishing and enhancing joint study programs in applied fields that meet labor market needs, as well as exchanging faculty members, students, and technical staff from universities and research centers, and establishing and continuing to develop joint research projects.

Dr. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, accompanied the President of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research on a tour of the university campus and its faculties, where they met with some of the university's students and visited a research and technology exhibition showcasing the latest scientific and technological innovations developed by students and researchers.

The official opening ceremony of the university was attended by Dr. Selim Abdelnasser, President of the German International University, Dr. Yasser Higazi, President of the German University in Cairo, and a high-level delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a select group of diplomats and prominent media figures.

General Administration of the Media Office and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry