Minister of higher education and scientific research: without the support and support of His Excellency the president, private universities would not have come to light
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of higher education and scientific research, delivered a speech during the ceremony, which was held this evening at the Grand Egyptian Museum; on the occasion of the graduation of the first batch of students of the new Egyptian private universities, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, prime minister, a number of Ministers, Governors, heads of public, private and technological universities, and parents of graduates.
The minister of Higher Education began his speech by expressing his pleasure at the prime minister’s honor for this important event, stressing that this attendance reflects his support for higher education and scientific research in general, and education at private universities in particular.
During his speech, Dr. Ayman Ashour said: We are here today to celebrate the graduation of the first batch of graduates of the three private international universities (King Salman International University, Galala University, and Alamein International University), which began studying in the year 2020-2021, and we are in the presence of this historical edifice, which we are proud of and brilliantly designed and implemented to reflect our ancient civilization, adding that the choice of this place to hold the first graduation ceremony of the first batch of international private universities reflects the originality and history on the one hand and contemporary and its extension to the future on the other.
Regarding the establishment of private universities, the minister of Higher Education said: let us remember the past associated with the idea of establishing private universities, which is not new to us, but dates back to 1908 when Princess Fatima Ismail and Prince Youssef Kamal donated the land and funds necessary to establish the first Egyptian private university, which later turned into King Fuad University in 1925, and became Cairo University in 1953 after its transformation into a State University.
In the same context, the minister pointed out that in the modern era-specifically in 2014-the Nile University was started after its transformation from a private university when it was established in 2006 to a private university, as well as the establishment of the French private university in Egypt and the Egyptian university for e-learning, adding that with the development of the educational system, the need to expand the establishment of many private universities has emerged.
In this context, the minister thanked Dr. Khalid Abdul Ghaffar, deputy prime minister for Human Development, Minister of Health and population, for the role he played in the establishment of new private universities when he was minister of higher education and scientific research, noting also the role played by Dr. Abdul Khaliq and Dr. Ashraf Al-Shehhi, ministers of higher education and scientific research at the time, in developing the nucleus of this project, as well as the role of the Ministry of housing, utilities and urban communities, as well as the important role of the Engineering Authority of the armed forces, in this regard.
The minister stressed that these projects would not have seen the light without the support and support of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, president of the Republic, to support the private universities project, pointing out that during his tenure as deputy minister of higher education and scientific research, he supported and directed his excellency to establish private universities emanating from public universities.
The minister also drew attention to another point related to the fact that these private universities emanating from public universities are gaining strength since the beginning of their establishment from the material and human resources provided by the established public universities, and this experience is considered one of the leading experiments in the establishment of private universities around the world, in addition to the role of those private
During his speech, the minister highlighted the ministry’s vision in developing the higher education and scientific research system, especially in the education sector at private universities, where one of the axes of the vision was based on inter-programs, which provide excellent education for overlapping specialties required to meet the challenges of the present and rapid labor market changes .
He added that in the context of the internationalization of Education, which is one of the most important principles of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, Egyptian universities, especially private universities, are keen to establish partnerships with many international universities, giving an example that we have partnerships in private universities with major international universities such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Russia, Finland, and others.
In this context, the minister of Higher Education pointed out that these international programs extend to serve students at public universities, pointing out that this is applied at El Alamein University with Lovell University in Biomedical Engineering with five Egyptian public universities with a 2+2 system or 2+1+1 he stressed that this is considered an application of one of the executive programs of the Presidential Initiative “alliance and development” and integration of various educational institutions and linking them with industry and the needs of society.
During his speech, the minister stressed that this proactive thought adopted by the Egyptian government in its various ministries and institutions under the leadership of the Prime Minister contributed to increasing the turnout of students to enroll in private universities, where the academic year 2021/2022 witnessed the registration of about 8,000 students, and the number in 2022/2023 increased to 21 thousand students, while the number of enrolled in the academic year 2023/2024 reached more than 42 thousand students, and it is expected that the number of 60 thousand students, bringing the number of students enrolled in private universities, international eligibility and eligibility emanating from public universities to more than 150 thousand students.
He added that private universities also contribute to many community initiatives and activities in cooperation with public and private universities, such as the “Decent Life” initiative and other presidential initiatives that enhance national identity and strengthen students ‘relationship with society.these universities also pay great attention to various student activities, be it sports, cultural and others, as well as the participation of students’ activities through creativity and entrepreneurship centers at private universities.
The minister concluded his speech by affirming that what we are witnessing today from the graduation of a new batch of international private universities is only the beginning of a long march of achievements.these universities are not just educational institutions, but are beacons of Science and creativity that contribute to shaping a bright future for Egypt and its children. we are sure that the graduates of these universities will be future leaders equipped with science and knowledge to face global challenges and have a positive impact in their societies.
The minister said: We are here not only to celebrate the success of these students, but also to celebrate the bright future of higher education in Egypt. Every achievement achieved today is a new step towards a brighter tomorrow. We believe that education is the bridge to progress, and these universities are the pillars of this bridge, concluding by expressing his pride and pride in all graduates and congratulating the students on their graduation, and invited them to continue this ambitious journey, armed with determination and determination, considering that the future is in their hands, and they are qualified to make it.
