Cairo: The activities of the Egyptian-French Forum for Higher Education and Scientific Research began this morning, Monday, and will take place over two days, 7th and 8th April, coinciding with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Cairo. The forum is attended by high-level representatives from both the Egyptian and French sides, under the auspices of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Mr. Philippe Baptiste, French Minister of Higher Education, along with a wide participation of prominent leaders from Egyptian and French universities and higher education and scientific research authorities, totaling around 400 participants from more than 100 Egyptian and French institutions.
According to State Information Service Egypt, during the inaugural session, Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, welcomed the large audience, which includes a select group of academics and researchers from Egypt and France. He praised the educational and cultural relations binding the two countries, reflecting a mutual interest in internationalisation and emphasising that internationalisation is a fundamental axis in the Egyptian strategy and Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Dr. Hossam Osman affirmed that the national strategy for higher education and scientific research aims to develop the higher education system in Egypt to meet local and global challenges, enhance the quality of educational and scientific research processes, and connect educational outcomes with the needs of the labour market.
The Deputy Minister outlined the seven core principles of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research: integration, interdisciplinary fields, communication, effective participation, sustainability, international reference, and innovation and entrepreneurship. He stressed the importance of this forum in enhancing the principle of international reference and encouraging student and academic exchange with global higher education institutions, as well as joining international research networks and collaborative programmes.
In line with the principle of sustainability, he highlighted the necessity of diversifying funding sources for higher education through government support, private sector contributions, donations, and partnerships, in addition to improving expenditure efficiency within educational institutions. He also underscored the importance of effective participation and its role in enhancing university independence while ensuring transparency and updating administrative and financial systems in higher education institutions.
He discussed support for innovation and entrepreneurship by enhancing the role of business incubators and innovation centres within universities, encouraging students to turn their ideas into developmental projects, and emphasising the importance of integrating sustainable development goals into educational and research plans.
He pointed out the significance of incorporating modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and e-learning, into the educational system, as well as developing the digital infrastructure of universities, reaffirming the deep partnership between Egypt and France and the shared historical successes of both countries.
In his speech, Dr. Mustafa Rifaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, welcomed the attendees, asserting that this scientific forum represents a significant milestone in the trajectory of bilateral relations between Egypt and France, reflecting the depth of academic and research ties between the two countries and their mutual commitment to expanding strategic cooperation in higher education and scientific research.
He added that the forum underscores the importance of internationalising higher education as a strategic option within the principles of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, aligning with the ministry’s national vision that aims to make knowledge and innovation the primary engines of development in the country through openness to international cooperation and exchange of experiences with major global institutions.
Dr. Mustafa Rifaat noted that the Egyptian-French partnership represents an inspiring model, combining a long history of cooperation, a vibrant present full of achievements, and a promising future with quality initiatives, announcing the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding during the forum’s activities. He also highlighted the partnership in the French university project in Egypt as a successful model of cross-border academic cooperation and its ambitious project to build a new environmentally friendly campus that grants internationally accredited dual degrees.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Council of Universities, which is celebrating its diamond jubilee this year, continues to play its pioneering role in developing higher education in Egypt by adopting policies that support creativity and meet the needs of the labour market, confirming a unified vision to integrate and develop Egyptian universities to be fourth-generation universities that provide advanced education contributing to community development.
In conclusion, Dr. Mustafa Rifaat emphasised that the university forum is not merely a platform for signing agreements but a manifestation of a shared will to build strong bridges of trust and excellence, expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to organising the event and wishing that this event serves as a launchpad for new partnerships that contribute to a bright future for the youth and the academic and scientific community in both countries.
For his part, Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning and Training for the Labour Market, and Acting Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, affirmed that Egyptian-French cooperation in higher education is not a recent development but rather the result of a long history of cultural and scientific understanding, which has enriched the scientific and research landscape in Egypt and the region.
Dr. Ayman Farid explained that the ministry attaches great importance to this forum as a cornerstone for enhancing strategic relations with France, given the momentum in the relations between the two countries across various fields. He noted that the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, the Egyptian cultural office in France, and the French Embassy in Cairo are working to change and expand the scope of bilateral cooperation to align with the aspirations of both countries and produce a new generation of scientific and academic partnerships, pointing out the travel of many Egyptian researchers to study in France in recent times.
Dr. Ayman Farid highlighted the importance of the principle of communication within the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, as it relies on internal communication crowned with the Initiative for Alliance and Development, representing the interest in international cooperation as part of the principle of external communication, noting the strength of the Egyptian model for higher education and the expansion of investment in higher education, as the knowledge economy is of great importance to Egypt.
The Assistant Minister praised the French university as part of the Egyptian higher education system and its role in attracting international students and providing interdisciplinary programmes. He explained that this cooperation reflects the trust of both countries in the efficiency of their educational systems, as they seek to establish a new educational concept led by Egypt and France that supports the knowledge economy, research, and innovation.
Dr. Mamdouh Moueid, Head of the National Research Centre, spoke about the joint research cooperation with the French side in fields such as agriculture, energy, water, health sciences, artificial intelligence, and other areas that serve sustainable development, expressing his hopes that this event provides an opportunity for more researchers to access the latest scientific developments and foster further collaboration in joint scientific research in priority areas.
For his part, Dr. Laurent Gatineau, President of CY Cergy Paris University and representative of “France Universit©s”, expressed France’s deep pride in its enduring partnership with Egypt as a historical centre of cultural and scientific excellence. He affirmed that this cooperation is a prime example of cultural integration and mutual respect, referring to the long history of collaboration between the two countries starting from the sending of Egyptian scholars to France and the evolution of these historical relations over the ages, benefiting from the rich cultural heritage of both countries.
He confirmed France’s pride in renewing this cooperation through successful projects, including the French university project in Egypt, and today we are preparing during this meeting to sign more protocols and launch new projects that reflect the trust between the two countries, contributing to achieving scientific and technological progress for future generations, highlighting the role of academic and research cooperation as part of cultural diplomacy in enhancing peaceful relations that ensure a prosperous future.
For her part, Professor Coralie, President of the Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education, highlighted the importance of establishing accreditation standards and working towards mutual recognition in the academic field, ensuring a level of excellence that reflects the aspirations of both parties to provide high-quality education that meets developmental needs.
She referred to many successful projects historically between the two countries, including the Faculty of Law, and affirmed France’s commitment to continue supporting education and scientific research in Egypt by enhancing student and academic exchange programmes and cooperating in developing innovative curricula and educational programmes, especially in priority areas for Egypt’s sustainable development plan, appreciating France’s recognition of its importance as a strong regional centre for higher education and scientific research for the benefit of the region, particularly for French-speaking African countries.
Dr. Anton Pouty, Director of the French National Centre for Scientific Research, spoke about the pivotal relationship with Egypt that has extended for sixty years, noting the strengthening of relations with a large number of Egyptian entities and institutions and participation in projects concerning heritage in Alexandria and the Karnak Temple, and collaborating with Cairo University and the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. He pointed out that this meeting enhances relations with Egypt, which is our largest partner outside Europe, and praised all the efforts made by the forum held today, which will witness the signing of several protocols and agreements that serve mutual cooperation.
The agenda of the forum includes discussions on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, signing cooperation protocols between the Egyptian and French sides, supported by the Supreme Council of Universities, which include agreements with French engineering schools and an agreement between the French Embassy and the Science, Technology and Innovation Fund to finance post-doctoral programmes.
The forum activities also include several specialised discussion sessions on “Internationalising Higher Education and Scientific Research Systems”, “French-Egyptian Academic Cooperation – Current Status and Prospects”, “Lessons Learned and Future Prospects” to evaluate bilateral experiences and explore future cooperation areas, and “Enhancing Links Between Academia and the Business Sector”, in addition to sessions discussing cooperation to enhance research and innovation capabilities through partnerships. The sessions will feature a select group of presidents of Egyptian and French universities, representatives from the ministries of higher education and research centres of both countries, as well as a large number of academics and private sector representatives, with broad participation from representatives of the business and industry