Higher Education Weekly Highlights
Over the past week, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research continued implementing its plans to advance Egypt’s higher education and research ecosystem through a series of meetings, initiatives, and events aimed at enhancing the quality of education, promoting scientific research and innovation, and expanding cooperation with national and international partners.
Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt, inaugurated the first meeting of the Egypt–EU Joint Committee following Egypt’s accession to the Horizon Europe Programme, as well as the ninth meeting of the Joint Scientific and Technological Cooperation Committee. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening national coordination mechanisms, expanding awareness-raising and capacity-building efforts, increasing private sector engagement, and supporting the integration of Egyptian institutions into European and international innovation ecosystems. They also discussed enhancing cooperation with European research infrastructures and maximizing the benefits of regional and multilateral initiatives.
The Ministry, through the European Research and Innovation Cooperation Office and in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union to Egypt, organized the first specialized event dedicated to supporting the participation of the Egyptian private sector in Horizon Europe, under the theme: "The Egypt–EU Innovation Partnership: Boosting Business Growth and Competitiveness through Horizon Europe." The event aimed to transform growing interest in the programme into practical partnerships and joint research and innovation projects while enabling Egyptian companies to access European and international value chains, thereby supporting the national economy and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian industry. Dr. Konsowa emphasized that the initiative represents a significant milestone in Egypt–EU cooperation and reflects the shared commitment to promoting scientific research and innovation as drivers of sustainable development.
The Council of Private Universities convened under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa. During the meeting, the Council approved the establishment of Belbeis University of Technology, a new private technological university in Belbeis, Sharqia Governorate, subject to the completion of the necessary legal procedures. It also approved the establishment of the Faculty of Smart Business Technology at Elsewedy University of Technology. The Minister stressed the importance of institutional and program accreditation at both national and international levels, highlighting the need to continuously develop academic programs in line with labor market demands to enhance graduate employability and future skills.
Dr. Konsowa also participated in the START Summit 2026, held at the Grand Egyptian Museum. In his address, he affirmed that empowering young people stems directly from the vision of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who places human development and youth empowerment at the heart of Egypt’s national priorities. He highlighted the Presidential Initiative "A New Beginning for Human Development" as a practical embodiment of this vision through coordinated efforts to bridge the gap between education and the labor market while equipping young people with technological and leadership skills required for the future.
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026 announced that 45 Egyptian universities were included in this year's edition, with several institutions improving their positions across different ranking categories. Egyptian universities also achieved remarkable results by securing top-100 global positions in several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Konsowa emphasized that the Ministry remains committed to integrating sustainability principles into education, research, and community service in support of Egypt Vision 2030 and the international competitiveness of Egyptian universities.
The 2025 Journal Citation Reports (JCR), published by Clarivate, announced the inclusion of 60 Egyptian scientific journals, reflecting the continued advancement of Egyptian scholarly publishing on the international stage. The report classified eight journals in Q1, eleven in Q2, twelve in Q3, twenty-seven in Q4, in addition to two indexed journals without quartile classification. The journals cover 39 scientific disciplines, including medicine, health sciences, pharmacy, engineering, technology, basic sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, biology, veterinary medicine, economics, business administration, political science, archaeology, conservation, and heritage studies.
The Minister received Dr. Walid El-Barqy, Governor of the Red Sea, to discuss avenues for cooperation on several development projects in the governorate. Discussions focused on implementing the visual identity project for Hurghada City in cooperation with Capital University to strengthen the city's architectural and cultural character. The meeting also explored cooperation in organizing integrated medical and community convoys across the Red Sea Governorate, particularly in remote and border areas, as part of the universities' community service mission.
Dr. Konsowa also met with senior executives from Microsoft Egypt and the Middle East to discuss a shared vision for building a new AI-powered learning experience and aligning higher education with future jobs and skills. The discussions focused on supporting digital transformation and integrating artificial intelligence into higher education. The Minister reaffirmed that the Ministry is currently restructuring academic programs to better meet the evolving needs of local, regional, and global labor markets.
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