Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, held a meeting with Dr. Alison Honor, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, and Dr. Abubakr Fathallah, Dean of International Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships at the University. The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed Lotfy, President of The British University in Egypt and Member of the Senate; Dr. Ghada Abdelbary, Secretary of the Council for Branches of Foreign Universities; and Dr. Salma Yousri, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation. The discussions focused on ways to strengthen joint cooperation. The meeting took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
At the outset, the Minister affirmed the depth and distinction of relations between Egypt and the United Kingdom, reiterating Egypt’s commitment to strengthening joint cooperation and expanding partnerships in higher education and scientific research. This, he noted, supports academic integration, contributes to human capacity development, and advances the mutual interests of both countries.
Dr. Konsowa also reviewed the significant progress witnessed in Egypt’s higher education system in recent years, including the expansion in the establishment of universities, the hosting of branches of foreign universities, and the introduction of joint and dual-degree programs in cooperation with leading international institutions. This reflects the diversity of educational pathways—public, private, national, technological, and international—aligning with global labor market requirements, enhancing human capital development, and strengthening academic partnerships.
The Minister emphasized the importance of supporting academic and research cooperation with international institutions, noting the success of foreign university branches in Egypt—now totaling nine—in providing high-quality education and internationally recognized degrees without requiring students to travel abroad. He also highlighted the growing demand for these branches, particularly those of British universities, within the framework of the state’s vision to position Egypt as a regional and international hub for higher education and scientific research, supporting the knowledge economy and enhancing graduate competitiveness.
The meeting addressed avenues for strengthening academic cooperation between both sides in areas of mutual interest, including cross-border education, exchange of expertise, and development of joint programs. Particular focus was placed on medical and technological fields, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship, in addition to exploring opportunities for educational and cultural cooperation with British universities. Discussions also included the possibility of establishing a branch of Bournemouth University in Egypt, in support of Egypt’s role as a regional hub for higher education.
For her part, Dr. Alison Honor praised the remarkable development of Egypt’s higher education and scientific research system, affirming Bournemouth University’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Egyptian universities and exchange academic expertise, contributing to the advancement of education in both countries. She highlighted the University’s global standing, ranking 41st in the United Kingdom according to the Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 rankings (among the top 500 universities worldwide). The university hosts around 17,000 students from over 120 countries and offers more than 140 academic programs across three main faculties: Business and Law; Health, Environment and Medical Sciences; and Media, Science and Technology. It is also distinguished in fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and ranks fifth globally in Hospitality and Tourism according to the Shanghai Ranking 2024.
Dr. Honor further reviewed key indicators of the university’s excellence, including its Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), partnerships with the NHS in health programs, international recognition in hospitality and tourism, and winning the Whatuni Student Choice Award for Mental Health Support 2025. She also noted the university’s expansion in cross-border education through partnerships in Vietnam and China, affirming its interest in establishing a branch in Egypt to further enhance academic cooperation and align with its global strategy of delivering high-quality education.
