Higher education minister lauds Egypt-US co-operation in scientific research

CAIRO – Egyptian Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour lauded the fruitful co-operation between Egypt and the US in the fields of higher education and scientific research, saying his ministry seeks to turn the country into a regional hub for innovation and scientific research, through centering on science and technology.

Ashour made the remarks on Thursday during his participation with Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Egypt Evyenia Sidereas in a meeting of the US-Egypt Science and Technology Joint Fund.

The meeting was held at the Higher Education Ministry’s premises in the New Administrative Capital and attended by CEO of the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) Walaa Sheta, along with a number of senior officials and scientists from Egypt and the US.

For her part, Sidereas expressed great appreciation for the constructive co-operation between the STDF and the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), which effectively contributes to improving the quality of life globally.

Sheta reviewed the STDF’s achievements in vital sectors, such as agriculture, energy, health and water, thanks to the fruitful cooperation with the NASEM.

The meeting took up ways of promoting innovation and bolstering science and technology in Egypt.

On her part, Marwa Alaa, the supervisor of the STDF’s research programs, elaborated on the most important accomplishments of the NASEM-funded projects and their positive impact on the scientific community in Egypt.

Alaa spotlight on the diversified support for a program to fund joint research projects between Egyptian and American researchers in priority fields.

She also spoke about an exchange visits’ program to share experience between Egyptian and American researchers and an InnovEgypt program to develop entrepreneurship and innovation in Egypt, as well as a technology transfer program to train Egyptian researchers on ways and methods of technology transfer in cooperation with international experts.

At the end of the meeting, the attendees agreed to continue supporting scientific projects and programs, with a focus on advanced science and emerging technology.