Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, departed today, Tuesday, for the city of Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, to participate in the General Conference of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), which will be held on May 13–14, 2026.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, is scheduled to preside over the opening session and proceedings of the General Conference of ICESCO, within the framework of the Arab Republic of Egypt’s presidency of the organization’s General Conference. The event will be attended by officials from the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation to discuss several issues related to the development of ICESCO’s work, enhancing cooperation among member states, and supporting initiatives that link education, culture, and scientific research with development priorities and intercultural dialogue.
This participation reflects the pivotal position held by Egypt within the framework of joint Islamic action in the fields of education, science, and culture. It also gains special significance as the city of Kazan celebrates its designation as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2026.
The participation also comes within the framework of implementing presidential directives to deepen relations with the Republic of Tatarstan, following the important visit paid by Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, to Egypt, during which he held a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The meeting addressed several important issues within the framework of bilateral relations between Egypt, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tatarstan.
The visit will also include a number of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening academic and research exchange programs between Egyptian universities and their counterparts in Tatarstan, as well as discussing mechanisms for hosting branches of prestigious international universities or offering joint academic degrees. These steps are considered important for enhancing partnerships, transferring international academic expertise, providing distinguished educational opportunities for students, and strengthening cooperation in linking scientific research with industrial needs, thereby benefiting the economies of both countries.
A number of ministers are also expected to participate in the economic forum in Kazan, of which the ICESCO Conference is a part. The forum is anticipated to witness high-level participation from various countries around the world.
