* Discussions on Mechanisms for Establishing Branches of Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, met with delegations from Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University in Scotland, at the Private Education Building in New Cairo.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister emphasized the distinguished relations between Egypt and Britain, noting the importance of intensifying cooperation efforts between Egyptian and British universities in academic and research fields to achieve maximum benefit for both countries.
Dr. Ayman Ashour pointed out the Ministry's keenness to support Egyptian universities in establishing partnerships with prestigious international universities and benefiting from distinguished international experiences to the advantage of the educational and research system in Egypt.
Dr. Ayman Ashour explained that the Egyptian state supports providing high-quality university education that contributes to qualifying graduates and equipping them with the diverse skills and knowledge necessary to enter the local, regional, and international job markets. This aligns with achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research and realizing Egypt's Vision 2020.
The Minister pointed to the success achieved by branches of international universities operating in Egypt and the increasing demand for enrollment. He noted the presence of branches of British universities in Egypt, which have had a significant impact on the higher education system due to the high-quality education and internationally recognized degrees they offer to both Egyptian and international students, as well as their application of standards in research, innovation, and academic excellence.
Dr. Ayman Ashour affirmed that the state has a comprehensive vision to make Egypt an attractive educational hub and a destination for those seeking distinguished educational services in the Arab region, the African continent, and the Middle East. He emphasized the Ministry's commitment to strengthening academic and research cooperation between educational and research institutions and supporting communication channels between the two sides, thus opening broader horizons for scientific and academic partnerships that serve the priorities of both countries and contribute to building human capacity.
The meeting addressed aspects of cooperation in areas of mutual interest with Egyptian universities, supporting efforts in the field of transnational education, enhancing Egypt's position as a regional center for higher education, and exchanging academic expertise with universities in Egypt.
The meeting also discussed mechanisms for finalizing the procedures for establishing branches of Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University in Scotland, which will be hosted by the Capital University Foundation.
For her part, Dr. Sue Raghby, President of Edinburgh Napier University, expressed her delight at the outstanding cooperation between British and Egyptian universities. She noted the university's commitment to strengthening its partnership with Egyptian universities, developing faculty and staff, and providing them with the necessary training on modern academic programs designed to equip students to meet the needs of the local, regional, and international job markets.
Mr. Paul Grace, President of Queen Margaret University, also commended the significant progress made in Egypt's higher education and scientific research system recently. He expressed the university's readiness to collaborate with Egyptian universities and exchange academic expertise to support efforts to enhance the educational system in both countries.
It is worth noting that the hosting of the Edinburgh Napier University branch and the Queen Margaret University branch by the University Capital Foundation is in accordance with Law 162 of 2018 concerning the establishment and regulation of branches of foreign universities and university institutions within the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The meeting was attended on the Egyptian side by Dr. Abdel Wahab Ezzat, Secretary of the Council of Private Universities; Dr. Abeer El-Shater, Assistant Minister for Technical Affairs; Mr. Mahmoud Rateb, Chairman of the Capital University Foundation; Dr. Gihan Fikry, President of Sinai University; Dr. Salwa Rashad, Dean of the Faculty of Languages at Ain Shams University; Mr. Mohamed Ghanem, Head of the Central Administration of the Councils Secretariat; and Dr. Mahmoud Kahil, Vice President of the two universities' branches for International Cooperation.
On the British side, the meeting was attended by Mr. Paul Grace, President of Queen Margaret University; Dr. Sue Rugby, Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University; Ms. Naomi Graham, Vice-Chancellor for International Affairs; Dr. Islam Shiha, Dean of Research and Innovation at the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Edinburgh Napier University; and Mr. Mark Howard, Director of the British Council.
