President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reviewed on Sunday a comprehensive plan to transform Egypt into a regional and international hub for higher education, scientific research, and innovation.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Higher Education Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa, El-Sisi discussed efforts to broaden international academic partnerships, strengthen links between research and industry, improve university administration through digitalisation, and expand the overseas presence of Egyptian universities.
According to presidential spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy, Minister Konsowa said Egypt now has 129 universities, including public, private, national, and technological institutions, as well as branches of foreign universities.
The meeting focused on plans to improve academic and administrative performance across the sector.
Konsowa said an executive committee had been established to oversee the rollout of an Enterprise Resource Management System aimed at modernizing university administration.
He added that the ministry is developing a framework to upgrade faculty development centres in line with changing academic requirements and the needs of university staff.
The meeting also reviewed efforts to strengthen cooperation with international universities and research institutions, as Egypt seeks to improve the quality of higher education and scientific research and increase the global competitiveness of its universities.
The discussions included plans to expand collaboration between universities, industry, and the wider knowledge economy.
Konsowa said the ministry aims to convert scientific research into marketable products and services, support innovation and entrepreneurship, expand technology valleys, and create incentives for researchers and faculty members to work more closely with industry.
The minister also outlined several projects recently completed under the ministry’s supervision, including development work at Alexandria University’s main hospital, upgrades at Mowasat Hospital, modernization of operating theatres and endoscopy units at El-Shatby University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the establishment of a Cairo University branch in Eritrea.
The meeting further reviewed a strategy to increase the international reach of Egyptian higher education by targeting key foreign markets, expanding joint academic programmes, and strengthening partnerships with highly ranked universities abroad.
Konsowa said a committee of university experts had been formed to oversee implementation of the plan.He added that the ministry is discussing the establishment of a financing institution with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to fund scholarships and support students pursuing dual-degree programmes with international partner universities.
President El-Sisi directed further expansion of higher education partnerships and foreign university branches, while stressing the need to improve the international standing of Egyptian universities and strengthen scientific research and innovation.
Egypt has significantly expanded its higher education sector in recent years, increasing the number of universities and diversifying institutions to include public, private, national, technological, and foreign university branches.
The government has identified higher education as a key component of its strategy to develop a knowledge-based economy, attract international students, and strengthen research and innovation.
The sector has also recorded gains in international rankings.
In March, the higher education ministry said 21 Egyptian universities were ranked across 42 disciplines in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, up from 19 institutions a year earlier. Egyptian universities were ranked among the world’s top 50 in veterinary medicine and petroleum engineering, while several other disciplines placed within the top 100.
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