A S U

The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting, chaired by Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and attended by Dr. Mustafa Rifaat, Secretary of the Council, and the Council members, at Cairo University.

The Council expressed its gratitude to the Cairo University community, headed by Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek, President of the University, for hosting the meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting, the members of the Supreme Council of Universities extended their sincere congratulations to Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh on the political leadership's confidence in appointing him as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, wishing him continued success and affirming their cooperation with him in pursuing the desired development of the higher education and scientific research system.

The members of the Supreme Council of Universities also expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Ayman Ashour, the former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for his fruitful efforts in advancing the higher education and scientific research system during his tenure, wishing him continued success.

The Council congratulated Dr. Yahya Eid on his appointment as President of Kafr El-Sheikh University, wishing him continued success. The Council also congratulated Dr. Ayman Abdel-Magid on his appointment as President of Arish University, wishing him continued success. The Council also congratulated Dr. Nasser Abdel-Bari on his appointment as President of Sadat City University, wishing him continued success in the coming period. The Council also congratulated Dr. Ahmed Adel Abdel-Hakim on his assignment to carry out the duties of President of Alexandria University, wishing him continued success.

The Council also expressed its gratitude to the outgoing university presidents in appreciation of their distinguished efforts in developing their academic institutions during their tenure. The Council thanked Dr. Hassan El-Demerdash for his distinguished efforts during his presidency of Arish University, wishing him continued success. The Council also thanked Dr. Ismail Ibrahim for his distinguished efforts during his tenure as President of Kafr El-Sheikh University, wishing him continued success. The Council also thanked Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Azab for his distinguished efforts during his tenure as President of Sadat City University, wishing him continued success.

The Council observed a minute of silence in mourning for Dr. Mufid Shehab, Professor of International Law at Cairo University, former University President, and former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, praying to God Almighty to grant him His mercy, admit him to Paradise, and grant his family patience and solace.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation in confronting all the challenges facing the educational and research system in Egypt, stressing the necessity of working collectively as a unified team to address the various challenges facing universities.

The Minister highlighted the importance of innovation, emphasizing the need to focus on the outputs of scientific research that can contribute to providing scientific solutions for economic, social, health, and environmental challenges. This, he noted, supports the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable development, while also strengthening the integration between scientific research, education, and industry, and contributing to national and developmental projects across various sectors.

Dr. Qansouh also pointed to the vital role of university hospitals and the necessity of continuing their development to improve the healthcare services provided to citizens. He described them as a fundamental arm of the state in delivering healthcare services, especially given the increasing reliance on them by the public. He noted the distinguished medical staff in university hospitals and stressed the importance of continued integration between university hospitals and Ministry of Health hospitals in providing high-quality services to citizens.

The Minister emphasized the importance of training and developing university leaders to acquire the expertise necessary to address various challenges. This will be achieved through collaboration with international universities and institutions that have leading experiences in developing and training university leaders.

Dr. Abdulaziz Qansouh directed that the performance of faculty development centers be improved by establishing a comprehensive framework to ensure their effectiveness in achieving their objectives.

The Minister noted that universities are continuing to implement the goals of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, giving particular importance to innovation and the knowledge economy in the coming period, while encouraging researchers to collaborate in implementing this approach.

The Minister directed that the comprehensive automation and digital transformation of university operations be expedited according to a clear and adhered-to timetable, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the quality of education and scientific research.

He also directed universities to establish marketing units to promote their academic programs and study systems, highlighting the advantages they offer at all levels of study.

Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh emphasized the need to maximize the benefits of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, a presidential initiative supporting the scientific research system in Egypt. He explained that the bank's scientific, cultural, and research resources contribute to enhancing the quality of education and scientific research, and support the advancement of Egyptian universities and research institutions in regional and international rankings.

The Council listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during February. Foremost among these was President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's meeting, with the Board of Trustees of the National Academy for Youth Training and Rehabilitation, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh. The report highlighted the President's key directives during this meeting,, focusing on capacity building.

The report added that, under the patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh attended the ceremony for the presentation of the "Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Award" at the Library of Alexandria.

The report further explained that the Minister conducted an extensive inspection tour of the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the New Administrative Capital. The tour included visits to the technical offices, a review of the various departments within the Ministry, and a detailed explanation of the work mechanisms and specializations of each department. This reflects his commitment to close on-site monitoring of the smooth operation of all sectors within the Ministry.

The report stated that the Minister received a delegation from Rowan University and representatives of Modern Education Services (MES) to follow up on the implementation of the previously signed memorandum of understanding regarding the establishment of Rowan University's first international branch in Egypt, located in the New Administrative Capital.

The report also highlighted the Minister's meeting, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt to discuss avenues of cooperation between the banking sector and higher education and scientific research institutions in Egypt, within the framework of the Egyptian government's vision for investing in human capital and supporting the development of the educational system.

At the invitation of Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh, the first meeting, of the Board of Trustees of Ain Shams National University was held, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board were elected.

Similarly, the first meeting, of the Board of Trustees of Sadat City National University was held at the invitation of Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansouh, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board were elected.

The report indicated that the Minister held a meeting, with several presidents of national universities affiliated with public universities to monitor the smooth running of the second semester.

The report added that the Minister received the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Open University to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between Egyptian universities and the Arab Open University.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry's Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson, stated that the Council witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Al-Azhar University and Damanhour University. The agreement aims to enhance academic and administrative cooperation, exchange scientific publications and information, develop and implement seminars, forums, workshops, and conferences, collaborate on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal skills programs, and promote joint student activities.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, and Dr. Elhami Trabees, President of Damanhour University.

The official spokesperson added that the council witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Al-Azhar University and Suez University, aimed at strengthening academic cooperation, implementing seminars, forums, workshops, and conferences, collaborating on leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal skills programs, and cooperating in career guidance, services, and student activities. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Dr. Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, and Dr. Ashraf Hanejel, President of Suez University.

The official spokesperson added that the council also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Faculty of African Graduate Studies at Cairo University and the Institute of African Research and Nile Basin Studies at Aswan University. The protocol aims to foster cooperation in organizing workshops and reciprocal visits to exchange scientific expertise, facilitate the exchange of faculty members and teaching assistants, and promote joint supervision of dissertations. The protocol was signed by Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadek, President of Cairo University, and Dr. Loay Saad El-Din Nosrat, President of Aswan University.

The council also reviewed the progress made regarding the renewal of licenses and the provision of technical support for information network security systems at public universities to protect them from cyberattacks.

The Council reviewed a report on Benha University's internationalization efforts during the period 2024/2025. The report indicated that the university is adopting a growing vision that reflects its ongoing efforts to engage with the academic world, enhance its standing among prestigious international universities, build academic partnerships, and provide a comprehensive and supportive learning environment that facilitates students' academic and social integration, thus promoting cultural diversity on campus.

The Council approved an amendment to the composition of the Cultural Relations Committee within the Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Universities by adding new members.