Prof. Ahmed El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, participated in the regular meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, chaired by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of Prof. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and members of the Council, including the presidents of public universities. The meeting was held today at the headquarters of Sadat City University, in the presence of Prof. Shaden Moawad, President of Sadat City University.

The President of Menoufia University explained that the Council extended congratulations to Prof. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, and the Council’s Secretariat, on the occasion of the Council obtaining four ISO certifications: ISO in Quality Management, ISO in Occupational Health and Safety Management, ISO in Knowledge Management, and ISO in Governance Management.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the team of the “Be Prepared” initiative, under the supervision of Prof. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning, Training, and Qualification for the Labor Market, and Acting Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector. He also thanked the university presidents and directors of career development centers for their great efforts in ensuring the success of the second edition of the initiative “Be Prepared: One Million Innovative Qualified Graduates.” He pointed out that Menoufia University actively participated in the initiative through its Career Development Center, with 3,112 participants registered at the center, from whom trainees will be selected in accordance with the initiative’s criteria. He affirmed that this initiative represents a strategic step toward building the capacities of students and graduates, and equipping them with digital, professional, and innovative skills aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030. He further praised the efforts of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in launching this initiative, which provides a comprehensive training environment, including dialogue sessions, workshops, and career pathways designed to meet the needs of both local and international labor markets.

The University President noted that the Minister emphasized during the session the importance of universities developing plans for various student activities (sports, arts, cultural, and social) and supporting talented students before the start of the new academic year. Student activities, he explained, are among the most important foundations of the educational system, aiming to strengthen teamwork, consolidate human bonds, and foster student integration into society.

The Minister also instructed universities to prepare plans for implementing awareness-raising and educational seminars for students on various challenges, enhancing their sense of belonging, and intensifying awareness campaigns to counter ideas and concepts contrary to authentic religious values and cultural traditions of Egyptian society, in preparation for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Prof. El-Kased highlighted that the Minister reviewed the key preparations for the new academic year 2025/2026, stressing the importance of early readiness, and the need for faculties to announce timetables ahead of the semester to allow students sufficient time to familiarize themselves with their schedules.

The Council also listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during August, including the Minister’s visit to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where he visited the headquarters of Elsevier to enhance cooperation with the Egyptian Knowledge Bank, join the Fourth Generation Universities Network, expand collaboration in scientific publishing, access international databases, and integrate artificial intelligence tools into scientific research. He also visited Incision Global, where a series of strategic agreements were signed between the Egyptian Knowledge Bank and the company.

Additionally, Prof. Ayman Ashour participated in a meeting with the Palestinian Prime Minister and several ministers, during which he presented the executive plan and program documents for the reconstruction plan.

The Minister also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Egyptian Expatriates, where they discussed updates related to agreements, programs, and MoUs between Egypt and other countries in higher education. He further met with heads of Egyptian cultural missions abroad, emphasizing the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with international universities and the key role played by cultural offices abroad.

Furthermore, the Minister held a meeting with the Minister of Manpower to explore means of enhancing cooperation and integration between the two ministries to strengthen students’ and graduates’ capacities and qualify them for labor market needs.

The session also reviewed the efforts of the committee formed to promote Egyptian universities across different platforms by producing diverse digital content targeting local and international audiences. The Council examined promotion efforts in coordination with the Ministry’s Media Office, university media departments, and the Central Administration for Expatriate Students, as well as features of the upcoming promotion plan for Egyptian universities domestically and abroad.

The Council also approved the regulations and operating system of the Scientific Committees for reviewing the academic output of applicants for the positions of Professor and Associate Professor for the 15th cycle (2025–2028), which will be announced on the Supreme Council’s website.

Finally, the Council reviewed the annual report of the Egyptian Student Engagement Survey for the academic year 2024/2025.