Cairo: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the Research and Development Foundation at West Virginia University in the United States. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation in the fields of agricultural genomics and food security.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the memorandum was signed by Dr. Gina El-Feky, President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and Deborah Williams, Vice President of West Virginia University and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The signing took place at the Education Building in New Cairo.

Dr. Ayman Ashour highlighted the significance of collaboration between Egyptian academic and research institutions and international entities in the scientific, research, and technological fields. He emphasized the benefits such cooperation could bring to society and the national economy, aligning with the objectives of the presidential initiative "Alliance and Development" and the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Dr. Ayman Ashour also reviewed the expansion in the Egyptian higher education system, which facilitates new forms of cooperation with various universities. He stressed the importance of focusing on modern specializations that align with global developments in science and technology, providing interdisciplinary study programs that meet labor market needs.

The memorandum of understanding aims to establish a framework for joint cooperation in implementing scientific programs and projects of mutual interest. It focuses on integration and exchanging expertise in scientific research and development, particularly in agricultural genomics, food security, and capacity building in high-value horticultural crops in Egypt and the Middle East and North Africa.

Additionally, the memorandum seeks to support scientific cooperation between researchers in the two institutions on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, contributing to sustainable development and the transfer of advanced technology to Egypt, the Arab region, and African countries.