Cairo: Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem met with Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AAST), to discuss strengthening cooperation in scientific research, support for start-ups, and vocational education and training. The meeting included Laila Shehata, Assistant Minister for Industrial Research and Development, and other senior officials from the ministry.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the discussions highlighted the Academy's educational and research initiatives, focusing on its Entrepreneurship Center, which supports innovators through incubators and industrial innovation accelerators. This center also offers training programs and connects innovators with funding institutions.

Hashem underlined the Ministry of Industry's dedication to reviving the Industrial Modernization Centre's role in linking scientific research with industrial needs. He emphasized the importance of establishing communication channels with universities and research institutions to apply research outcomes practically in industries.

The Minister commended AAST's contributions to enhancing the educational system and addressing gaps in scientific and technological domains. He reiterated the ministry's commitment to expanding cooperation with the academy for training both factory workers and ministry employees.

Hashem announced an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to link research outputs with industrial needs, aiming to produce tangible economic benefits. The cooperation includes creating technology parks at Egyptian universities, with the first one to be established at Alexandria University. These parks will facilitate the transformation of innovative ideas into industrial applications by supporting start-ups and fostering technology transfer.

Ismail Abdel Ghaffar highlighted the academy's scientific capabilities and its focus on directing researchers to tackle real industrial challenges. He emphasized AAST's role in supporting lifelong learning and capacity building to develop professionals who can drive Egypt's industrial development.