Cairo: The Ministers of State for Military Production Salah Suleiman Gambalat and Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdelaziz Konsowa discussed avenues of joint cooperation at the headquarters of the Ministry of Military Production in Egypt's new administrative capital. The meeting was attended by several senior officials from both ministries.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Gambalat emphasized that the meeting reflects both sides' commitment to implementing the directives of Egypt's political leadership under the Vision 2030 plan. This plan highlights the importance of transforming education into a key driver of economic and industrial development. Gambalat added that the collaboration seeks to strengthen ties among state institutions, research centers, and universities while maximizing national manufacturing resources to benefit Egyptian citizens.
During the meeting, the ministers reviewed the implementation status of ongoing collaborative projects between the Ministries of Military Production and Higher Education in scientific research, training, and human resource development. Progress on these joint projects was assessed against pre-established timelines.
The discussions also focused on mechanisms to better link scientific research with industry, aiming to convert the outputs of universities and research centers into initiatives with direct economic impact. This supports the country's shift toward a knowledge-based economy. The ministers emphasized the need for specialized educational and training programs to prepare personnel with advanced technological skills that align with labor market demands, particularly in priority industrial sectors.
Gambalat highlighted the ministry's commitment to supporting higher education through affiliated entities and expressed readiness to provide practical training opportunities for university and institute students within military production facilities. The two sides explored the potential for student graduation projects to benefit from available expertise and resources to advance local manufacturing, promote innovation, and enable students to develop practical prototypes.
This initiative would be supported in cooperation with the Fund for Supporting Innovators and Talents, alongside advanced industrial research initiatives in areas like metal industries, steel production, and artificial intelligence. The ministers also discussed expanding collaboration between the Egyptian Academy for Advanced Engineering and Technology and universities to support the educational process.
Konsowa expressed the Higher Education Ministry's commitment to strengthening partnerships with state institutions to ensure that scientific research outputs are translated into practical applications benefiting national industry. He noted that the ministry, through the Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding Authority, is preparing to launch initiatives like the 'Professor for Every Factory' program. This program is designed to link innovation with industrial needs, enable researchers to develop practical solutions, and support sustainable local manufacturing while reducing reliance on imports.
Konsowa added that a high-level committee, composed of experts, has been established under the directives of the political leadership to review curricula, assess their alignment with labor market needs, and develop new specializations. The committee aims to keep higher education aligned with global developments and enhance graduate competitiveness locally and internationally. He concluded that the cooperation is grounded in the shared belief in linking scientific research with industry and transforming it into innovative products and services.