Minister of Higher Education Outlines Comprehensive Strategy to Establish Egypt as a Regional Hub for Innovation and Knowledge
Dr. Abdel Aziz Qansoua, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, affirmed that the Ministry is actively implementing a comprehensive strategic vision aimed at cementing Egypt's position as a leading regional hub for higher education, scientific research, and innovation. This involves the integrated development of the educational system and maximizing the return on state investments in this vital sector to support socio-economic development and build a knowledge- and innovation-based economy, in line with the directives of the political leadership.
The Minister explained that this vision is built upon three main pillars: the internationalization of Egyptian education, the transition towards a knowledge economy, and the development of infrastructure, as well as institutional and human capacities, ensuring that educational and research outputs meet labor market demands.
Dr. Qansoua highlighted that the infrastructure and capacity-building pillar includes a comprehensive plan to develop National (Ahlia) and Technological universities based on modern educational models. It also focuses on capacity building for faculty members, upgrading academic and administrative performance, and developing university hospitals to provide advanced community healthcare and drive scientific research.
Developing the Higher Education System In implementing this pillar, the Ministry prioritizes the expansion of modern educational models—primarily National and Technological universities—as essential tools for aligning education with development needs. National universities offer advanced interdisciplinary programs, rely on financial sustainability, expand international partnerships, and offer dual degrees. They enjoy partial academic independence aligned with quality standards and direct scientific research toward industrial and societal applications.
Technological universities represent a qualitative leap in applied education, linking studies directly with the industry through advanced disciplines such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, smart manufacturing, and smart supply chains. They adopt a dual education system (50% academic study and 50% practical factory training) and embrace international cooperative education to graduate innovators ready for the job market.
Establishing New Universities The state aims to reach 27 technological universities by the 2030/2031 academic year. Currently, there are 48,883 enrolled students, 18 government faculties, and 68 academic programs. The establishment of new universities is underway in Benha, Menoufia, Sohag, Suez, South Valley, Arish, Kafr El-Sheikh, Damietta, and Minya.
Simultaneously, the Ministry places human capacity building at the forefront of its priorities. A comprehensive project to develop faculty capacity-building centers is being implemented to elevate academic and administrative efficiency. A pilot phase is underway across 11 universities, including Cairo, Alexandria, Ain Shams, Assiut, Mansoura, Menoufia, Benha, Qena, Al Asimah, Zagazig, and Tanta, supervised by expert committees to ensure high-quality execution.
University Health Sector Regarding the university health sector, the Minister noted ongoing efforts to digitize 79 university hospitals across 12 public universities. Currently, 19 hospitals are fully operational, 23 are in trial operation, and 37 are being prepared for launch. This digital transformation aims to enhance medical services, improve governance, unify medical records, and create research databases and disease mapping. It also reinforces integration with the Comprehensive Health Insurance System, linking 9 hospitals in Aswan, Ismailia, and Alexandria, with 18 more hospitals slated for Phase Two in Port Said, Suez, Minya, and Kafr El-Sheikh.
Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that the rapid developments in the higher education and scientific research sectors reflect a clear national vision to build an integrated system supporting sustainable development and enhancing the country's competitiveness in accordance with Egypt Vision 2030.