The Minister of Higher Education discusses the future cooperation plan with the Regional Director of UNESCO
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO, ALECSO, ISESCO), met with Dr. Noria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, in the presence of a delegation from the organization’s regional office, and a delegation of higher education and ministry leaders in the sectors.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Minister indicated Egypt’s appreciation for the organization’s important role in enhancing cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research and innovation, and encouraging the exchange of experiences and knowledge at the Arab, African and international levels, offering thanks to Dr. Noria Sanz for her fruitful efforts during her work as Director Regional office of the organization in permanent communication and cooperation to implement joint programs.
The Minister noted the development and modernization carried out by the Ministry in the work of the Egyptian National Committee for Education, Science and Culture; To enhance its work and support its relations with all sectors of the Ministry, as well as with university and research institutions; To ensure broader participation from all entities affiliated with the Ministry in implementing joint programs and initiatives between the Ministry and the organization, and to expand their influence and increase their role in building bridges of cooperation in the fields related to higher education, scientific research, and supporting innovation and creativity, pointing out that this meeting was attended by a broad presence from all sectors of the Ministry; To discuss the details of expanding cooperation with the organization in all specializations and programs of common interest, and to discuss coordination in cooperation to implement the organization’s work plan for the next stage.
The Minister pointed to his participation in the “UNESCO 2024 Forum on Higher Education in Africa in Nairobi,” stressing The importance of the fruitful discussions that took place on the sidelines of the forum to enhance regional coordination to confront the challenges of higher education in Africa, and to expand cooperation between African universities and research centers, explaining that Egypt is keen to participate effectively in everything related to supporting the development of education, research and innovation on the African continent. Based on its regional role in serving the goals of sustainable development in African countries and achieving the desired well-being for its people, Egypt provides scholarships to a large number of African students, and grants annual awards to young African scientists in various scientific fields, including: (agricultural sciences, health, water, and energy).
The Minister discussed with Dr. Nouria activating the results reached by the Forum, and coordinating efforts in the areas of research and innovation, technical training and vocational guidance, in a way that serves the goals of sustainable development on the African continent.
For its part, She praised Dr. Nouria cooperates with Egypt in the organization’s programs, especially in the educational and research fields, stressing the organization’s keenness to strengthen this cooperation and invest in Egypt’s position in its Arab, African and Islamic surroundings to activate the programs that the organization is interested in, noting the success of cooperation in a number of different activities and events, noting: This meeting aims to discuss ways to benefit from these positive relations in the organization’s programs and plans during the next stage, noting the importance of joint cooperation in the field of science, as science is the basis for all fields.
The two parties discussed advancing the implementation of the initiative. "Open Science" In Egypt, by discussing “what has been done and what is required”, supporting the implementation of the initiative in Egypt, making knowledge available to everyone and providing open access to materials. The two sides also discussed enhancing digital transformation efforts in providing Egyptian scientific materials on the Internet.
The meeting discussed cooperation in implementing a number of joint events and activities and cooperation in important events organized by the organization during the coming year 2025, including: the international program “Memory of the World” Which represents great importance for preserving the global documentary heritage and ensuring its access to future generations, as well as cooperation in the “Water, Energy and Food” hackathon. Which aims to bring together experts in these vital disciplines to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing these areas, which have become of great importance to the world today. Cooperation has also taken place with the organization in programs to protect “water heritage”, as part of the cultural and natural heritage.
For his part, Dr. Ayman Farid, Supervisor of the Egyptian National Committee for Education, Science and Culture, explained the structural development that has taken place in the National Committee, to activate its activity and expand the scope of its work, as well as allocating multiple contact points to facilitate communication, noting that The great potential of the Ministry’s sectors, universities, and affiliated research centers in terms of academic and research expertise, human and material capabilities, and intensification of work during the coming period. To further enhance communication between all sectors of the Ministry and the organization, which contributes to advancing cooperation between the two parties to broader horizons, and achieving the best results in the initiatives, activities and programs implemented by international, regional and Arab organizations concerned with education, science and culture in areas of priority for both sides.
