Ayman Ashour stresses the importance of employing inventions to strengthen the national economy
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, chaired the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the Educational and Cultural Exchange Authority between Egypt and the United States of America “Fulbright” In the presence of Dr. Maggie Nassif, Executive Director of the Authority, and the members of the Authority’s Board of Directors, who are Dr. Mustafa Rifaat, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Universities, and Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning, Training and Qualification for the Labor Market, Acting Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector in the Ministry, and Adviser/ Robin Haroutunian, Public Affairs Advisor at the US Embassy in Cairo, and Mr. Marisol Pérez, Chief of the USAID Office of Education and Partnerships, and Eng. Raymond Miller, a founding partner of Refaat & Miller, in the private education building in New Cairo.
During the meeting, the Minister discussed preparations for celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Authority through a cooperation protocol between the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs And the US Department of State in 1949.
During the meeting, Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of education and scientific research in providing opportunities for young people. With the aim of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, he highlighted the necessity of employing inventions resulting from research in universities and research centers to enhance the national and local economy in the governorates, and he also addressed the sustainable development plan for the communities surrounding each university.
The Board of Directors also discussed the annual plan and the budget allocated to support Egyptian youth and researchers through the Fulbright Commission’s programs to study and conduct research, gain experience by traveling to the United States of America, and coordinate between the joint efforts of the bodies represented on the Board of Directors from the Egyptian and American sides. The Minister stressed the importance of bringing American experts to cooperate with their Egyptian counterparts in areas of importance, such as: (medical sciences, public health, food security, technology, entrepreneurship).
Dr. Maggie Nassif presented many new opportunities and grants to Egyptian professors and researchers during the meeting. To conduct research in the United States of America in various fields. In addition, opportunities were highlighted to bring American professors, scholars, experts, and graduate students to Cairo and other regions; To cooperate with universities, ministries, and research centers, as well as with the public and private sectors in the fields of (science, arts, sports, economics, manufacturing, and space).
The annual report was reviewed, which included a presentation of special and new projects, Among them is the launch of Disability Studies Opportunities, a new initiative launched by the Fulbright Commission this year, in cooperation with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Supreme Council of Universities, in addition to disability centers in Egyptian universities supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Authority, in partnership with members of its Board of Directors at the Supreme Council of Universities and the American Embassy, launched an initiative to support English language teaching in universities. This initiative includes sending 20 English language teachers to train for a period of 9 months in American universities. The Authority also launched a mental health initiative, which aims to support… And to prepare Egyptian and American envoys to face the challenges of travel and adapt to the circumstances surrounding them during the mission.
The Board of Directors approved grants for graduate student programs and leadership preparation programs, which include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program for university leaders and research centers. , the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship, and English language teachers, in addition to arts programs in the United States of America, and the plan to host 16 American experts this year was also approved.
At the end of the meeting, the Minister expressed his happiness with the many new opportunities offered by The Authority in priority areas for youth, especially in the regions, also praised the efforts made to support persons with disabilities, develop the services provided to them, and integrate them into society and the labor market.
