Prof. Ahmed El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, participated in the session of the Supreme Council of Universities headed by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Prof. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and members of the Council, at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased confirmed that the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, during the Council session, reviewed the activities of the visit he made a few days ago to Menoufia Private University to ensure the regularity of study there, as the Minister inspected the lecture halls, classrooms, and laboratories, and reassured the provision of all modern technological media; with the aim of creating a distinguished educational environment for students, praising the readiness of Menoufia Private University and the percentage of completion of facilities, laboratory equipment, lecture halls, and the regularity of electronic tests in the university laboratories.

The Minister also reviewed the activities of his visit to Menoufia University to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for a number of medical and educational projects, which included the opening of outpatient clinics at the University Hospital in Menoufia, as well as the opening of outpatient clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, laying the foundation stone for the expansions of the Oncology Institute, and laying the foundation stone for the Specialized Surgery Hospital, at an estimated cost of 6 billion pounds. The Minister praised the achievements and developments he witnessed in the medical facilities at Menoufia University, especially the Medical City project and the start of its first phase, which includes the expansions of the Oncology Institute, which is one of the most important medical facilities for providing specialized medical care in addition to enhancing scientific research in the field of oncology and a pioneering step to combat cancer. The Specialized Surgery Hospital is also an important step to improve the quality of health care and meet the increasing medical needs in society and reduce waiting periods for operations, which helps patients obtain treatment in a timely manner. He also praised the harmony and cooperation between the university and the executive bodies, headed by the governor, who is keen to provide all necessary support to implement the university's plan and future vision.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased stated that the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research's praise for what he witnessed at Menoufia University is a strong push that contributes to completing and strengthening the university's journey to achieve its comprehensive strategic and development plan at all levels, which is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education, Egypt's Vision 2030, the goals of the new republic, and the political leadership's directions to develop the higher education system, the health file, and the development of university hospitals, directing, in his name and in the name of all the sons and employees of Menoufia University and Menoufia Private University, sincere thanks and appreciation for the continuous support provided by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research to the university.

Prof. Ahmed El-Kased added that during the meeting, the Minister directed the continuation of providing medical and therapeutic services in university hospitals to the wounded and injured in the Gaza Strip, after Egypt's success in cooperation with regional and international partners in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, in implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, in cooperation and coordination between various concerned parties.

Prof. Ayman Ashour stressed the importance of enhancing the role of innovation in line with the state's interest in maximizing the role of universities in developing the economy, providing a stimulating climate for knowledge production and enhancing scientific research, and increasing cooperation between universities and the industrial and business community, which contributes to supporting the state's competitiveness regionally and globally, and benefiting from scientific research in facing economic challenges and achieving sustainable development goals.

The Minister of Higher Education also praised the efforts of various universities in implementing the presidential initiative "A New Beginning for Building the Human Being", and the universities providing many diverse services in various geographical regions, including launching many development convoys across the Republic to serve citizens, in order to activate the role of universities in serving society and developing the environment at the level of all governorates.

Emphasizing the need for universities to continue to enhance belonging among university students, and to develop plans to intensify awareness campaigns for students to combat abnormal ideas, while emphasizing the universities' continued support and discovery of talented, brilliant and innovative students, and providing them with all necessary support.

The envoy pointed out that the council listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during the current month of February, the most important of which was the meeting of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, with Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; to follow up on the status of national projects carried out by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, including the file of establishing private universities, digital transformation and mechanization of services, developments in implementing presidential initiatives related to higher education and scientific research, and the efforts made by university hospitals to receive the wounded and injured in Gaza, and follow up on the executive status of construction work in educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in addition to the efforts made by the state to develop scientific aspects in universities and research institutions in Egypt.

The Council also approved opening the database of scientific committees through the scientific committees’ website on the Internet, for faculty members to update their CVs and add new members; in order to begin preparing to form scientific committees and arbitrators’ lists for the fifteenth session until 3/6/2025.

The Council also followed up on the efforts of Egyptian universities to serve the people of Gaza since the outbreak of the crisis until now. The report included a presentation of the services provided by the universities, most notably receiving the wounded and those in critical condition in coordination with the Ministry's Crisis Management Department, and detaining the wounded in university hospitals and providing them with all necessary care, in addition to the daily presence of faculty members at the Rafah crossing to supervise the entry of patients and the wounded into the Strip on a daily and regular basis. The Council was informed of the signing of a cooperation protocol between the leadership of the Popular and Military Defense Forces and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to implement military education for female students in Egyptian universities and institutes. The Council discussed the mechanisms for implementing the provisions of the protocol during the coming period.