Minister of Higher Education Directs:
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Universities and institutes to prepare for second semester examinations of the current academic year
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Strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Health to promote population awareness
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Enhancing cooperation between universities and the industrial sector
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Expanding partnerships between the Egyptian higher education system and leading international universities
Minister of Higher Education Praises:
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An unprecedented scientific and historic achievement through the publication of the results of the largest full genome sequencing study
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ICESCO’s announcement of the registration of several Egyptian heritage sites on the Islamic World Heritage List
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The Council follows up on universities’ plans for developing faculty capacity development centers
The Supreme Council of Universities held its periodic meeting chaired by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and council members, at the Ministry headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa directed universities to continue rationalizing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency within the framework of the state’s efforts to address the current global energy crisis. He also stressed the importance of activating the role of university students as key partners in energy conservation efforts through promoting responsible consumption practices on campus and encouraging students to transfer these behaviors to their families and society.
The Minister emphasized the necessity for universities and institutes to prepare for second semester examinations and directed faculties to announce examination schedules sufficiently in advance.
He also stressed the importance of the regular attendance of faculty members, teaching assistants, and administrative staff throughout the examination period to ensure the proper conduct of examinations at universities and institutes.
The Minister highlighted the importance of continuing integrated cooperation between university hospitals and Ministry of Health hospitals to provide distinguished healthcare services to citizens.
Dr. Konsowa also directed the need to intensify cooperation between universities and the industrial community and focus on applied scientific research linked to industrial needs. He emphasized the importance of establishing Technology Parks to support innovation and transform research outputs into manufacturable products.
The Minister praised the unprecedented scientific achievement represented by publishing the results of the largest full genome sequencing study of 1,024 Egyptian citizens from 21 governorates. The globally published results, achieved with the participation of leading Egyptian scientists, identified nearly 17 million unique genetic variants not previously recorded in international databases, providing Egypt for the first time with a “national genetic reference” that ends decades of the underrepresentation of Egyptian genetics in international research. The Minister also reviewed the progress of the National Genome Project for Egyptians and Ancient Egyptians, including efforts related to studying the genomes of gifted individuals and outstanding talents.
Dr. Konsowa also praised the announcement by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) regarding the registration of several Egyptian heritage sites on the Islamic World Heritage List, including the Dendera Temple as one of the most prominent ancient Egyptian temples, and the historic houses of Rosetta, which represent a unique model of Islamic architecture and reflect the city’s distinctive historical character.
The Council reviewed a report on the Ministry’s most prominent activities during April, including the Minister’s participation in the Board of Directors meeting of the Egyptian Space Agency chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.
The report noted that the Minister and the Prosecutor General launched the cultural salons initiative at Egyptian universities and signed a cooperation protocol between the Ministry and the Public Prosecution to promote national awareness, reinforce the rule of law, and support students’ legal and judicial skills.
The report further indicated that the Minister held a meeting with the Minister of State for Military Production to discuss areas of cooperation and review updates on joint projects implemented by companies and entities affiliated with the Ministry of Military Production.
Additionally, Dr. Konsowa held an extensive meeting with the Minister of Communications and Information Technology to launch a new phase of cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, digital capacity building, and innovation support, as well as expanding technical training programs through integrating them into university curricula and maximizing the role of academic institutions in implementing the second phase of the National AI Strategy.
The report also highlighted the launch of the fourth phase of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects by the Ministers of Higher Education, Local Development, Environment, Planning and Economic Development, along with the President of the National Council for Women. The initiative reviewed efforts to achieve sustainable development goals and presented the global perspective and future steps of the initiative.
The Minister also held an extensive meeting with the Minister of Health and Population and presidents of Egyptian universities to discuss enhancing cooperation and integration within the comprehensive health insurance system, strengthening cooperation with university hospitals, mechanizing and linking databases between both entities, addressing challenges, and expanding institutional contracts to provide specialized personnel.
The report added that the Minister discussed with the Minister of Labor mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between the two ministries to align higher education outputs with labor market needs and prepare qualified graduates capable of competing locally and internationally.
Within the framework of strengthening partnerships with international universities, the Minister held several meetings, including with the Prince of Romania and the Romanian Ambassador to Egypt to discuss cooperation between Egyptian and Romanian universities. The Romanian side announced 35 scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Additional meetings included discussions with the Minister of Education of Rwanda, the Rwandan Ambassador to Egypt, the Spanish Ambassador and delegations from Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and IE University, the British Ambassador and Director of the British Council in Egypt, the Vice President of the University of East London, and officials from the University of Bonn and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Dr. Konsowa also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hiroshima University in Japan in the field of international educational cooperation and witnessed the signing of the executive agreement for the dual master’s degree program between Hiroshima University and the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology.
The report noted that the Minister discussed with the Assistant Head of the Future of Egypt Sustainable Development Authority mechanisms for establishing partnerships with universities and research centers to support applied projects and localize technology. He also discussed with the Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority ways to enhance financial literacy among students and encourage engagement in non-banking financial activities.
The Minister also participated in the Board of Trustees meeting of the Egyptian Health Council, a roundtable discussion on empowering young talents to support Egypt’s energy sector in the presence of the Ministers of Petroleum and Youth and Sports, inaugurated the 14th International Conference of Ain Shams University, chaired meetings of the Board of the Authority for Supporting and Developing Universities and the Egyptian University Sports Federation, and met with student union representatives and student affairs officials to follow up on the “Save It… Light It” energy conservation initiative.
As part of his field tours, Dr. Konsowa visited Minya Governorate to inaugurate and inspect several university, healthcare, and service facilities at Minya University at a total cost of EGP 650 million. He inaugurated the Children’s Reception and Care Hospital, a hotel accommodation building on campus, inspected preparations for launching the university hotel, reviewed campus development works, and inspected implementation works at Minya Technological University. He also attended the closing ceremony of the “Forum of Civilizations” at Minya University.
The Minister inaugurated a new building at the University of Hertfordshire hosted in Egypt as part of the university’s expansion plans and support for higher education development according to international standards.
The report also highlighted the Minister’s participation in celebrations marking the anniversary of Alexandria’s founding under the slogan “Alexandria: Birthplace of a Global City,” and the opening of the exhibition “Twenty Years of Excavations in Shallalat Gardens (2006–2026).”
The Minister also inspected the new campus of Senghor University in Borg El Arab and received a detailed presentation on the university’s new headquarters gifted by the Egyptian government.
The report further noted that the Minister inspected construction works at the new campus of the French University in Egypt in El Shorouk City and reviewed the implementation status of the project.
In support of university youth and employment initiatives, Dr. Konsowa inaugurated the fifth edition of Ain Shams University’s major employment fair and the annual employment and training forum at Cairo University, which featured approximately 130 local and international companies and institutions.
The Council also listened to a detailed presentation by Dr. Abla Al-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health and Population and Supervisor of the National Population Council, on improving population characteristics within the framework of the National Population Strategy and the presidential “Golden Thousand Days” initiative for Egyptian family development.
The Council also reviewed a report by Dr. Ayman El-Shabiny, President of Arish University, highlighting activities organized in conjunction with Sinai Liberation Day celebrations, including hosting student delegations from Egyptian universities to showcase development and stability in Sinai, organizing awareness seminars against extremism, launching anti-addiction campaigns, and implementing technological qualification programs for students with disabilities in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications.
Additionally, the Council listened to a presentation by Dr. Walaa Sheta, CEO of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority, on the Academic Cadres for Factories Initiative aimed at strengthening the linkage between scientific research and industry and transforming research outputs into practical industrial solutions.
The Council encouraged faculty members and researchers to cooperate directly with industry through this and other Ministry initiatives.
Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry, stated that the Council followed up on universities’ implementation of energy conservation plans and reviewed universities’ comprehensive plans for developing faculty capacity development centers to ensure their effectiveness in meeting contemporary training requirements.
The Council also reviewed steps related to utilizing the 16,000-feddan allocation in New Valley Governorate for research purposes by Egyptian universities, as well as the efforts of the committee chaired by Dr. Essam Farahat, President of Minya University, to study universities’ experiences in implementing ERP systems to accelerate comprehensive digital transformation within university administrative systems.
Finally, the Council watched a documentary film on the implementation of Minya University’s visual identity, including guidelines for using the logo, official colors, promotional materials, digital platform designs, event settings, and institutional gifts.
