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Minister Affirms the Importance of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Strengthening Understanding Among Peoples and Supporting Shared Development
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Egypt Emphasizes Expanding Academic and Research Cooperation Between Russia and Islamic World Countries
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Egypt’s Continued Presidency of the ICESCO General Conference Reflects Confidence in Its Role Within the Islamic Cooperation System
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of the ICESCO General Conference, participated in the meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World,” held at the Bashir Rameev IT Park in the city of Kazan, in the presence of Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, along with a number of senior officials and representatives of governments and relevant institutions from Russia and countries of the Islamic world.
The President of the Republic of Tatarstan opened the meeting, emphasizing the importance of the Strategic Vision Group as a significant platform for enhancing dialogue and cooperation between Russia and Islamic world countries, as well as its role in strengthening bridges of civilizational and cultural communication and expanding partnership opportunities in priority sectors.
In his address during the meeting, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude and conveyed the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, and to Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, including the leadership, government, and people of Tatarstan, in appreciation of the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to the Egyptian delegation. He praised the excellent organization that reflects the growing status of Kazan as an important cultural and civilizational bridge between Russia and the Islamic world.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research affirmed that Egypt’s participation in the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” meeting stems from its belief in the importance of this platform in promoting dialogue, building trust, and opening broader prospects for cooperation between Russia and Islamic world countries, not only in economic and cultural fields, but also in higher education, scientific research, and innovation.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa pointed out that higher education and scientific research represent one of the most important pathways for bringing peoples closer together, noting that universities, research centers, academic exchange programs, and scientific partnerships are capable of building societies that are more connected to the knowledge economy, more capable of innovation, and more contributive to development, peace, and stability.
The Minister also highlighted the participation of the Egyptian delegation over the past days in the activities of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), affirming Egypt’s pride in continuing to chair the organization’s General Conference, which reflects the confidence of member states in Egypt’s supportive role in joint cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture.
The Minister added that holding these events concurrently with the celebration of Kazan as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2026 adds an important civilizational dimension to the participation, noting that Kazan represents a distinguished model of a city that combines the depth of history, cultural diversity, openness, and the ability to build genuine bridges among civilizations.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa emphasized Egypt’s aspiration for this meeting to represent an additional step toward broader and deeper cooperation among educational and research institutions in Egypt, Russia, Tatarstan, and countries of the Islamic world, opening new horizons for youth, researchers, and universities, and strengthening the role of science and knowledge in serving shared development.
It is worth noting that Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa’s participation in the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” meeting comes within the framework of Egypt’s broader participation in the activities of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: Kazan Forum,” which serves as a major platform for enhancing cooperation between Russia and Islamic world countries in the economic, cultural, and scientific fields, and for supporting partnership and communication between both sides.
This participation also follows the conclusion of the 15th session of the General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held in Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan under the presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt, where Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa chaired the organization’s General Conference in his capacity as Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
The proceedings of the ICESCO General Conference witnessed unanimous agreement among member states to continue the Arab Republic of Egypt’s presidency of the organization’s General Conference for a new four-year term, reaffirming confidence in Egypt’s supportive role in joint cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture, and strengthening Egypt’s active presence within the framework of multilateral Islamic cooperation.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa also called for activating avenues of cooperation through supporting innovation via the Innovation Fund launched by Egypt, to serve as a platform for consensus and shared development that supports youth and drives the engine of development in a manner that promotes peace and harmony.
