The Egyptian government regards higher education as key to social and economic development, while making this country a regional centre in this field.
This statement by Minister of Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour came in a pre-recorded video statement to forum on cross-border education in London.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Exports) at the Department for International Trade, Andrew Campbell Bowie, President of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) Douglas Blackstock and Egyptian Ambassador to the UK Sherif Kamel attended the forum.
For his part, Bowie said: “Egypt is given priority for the British strategy for scientific and academic co-operation.”
Kamel said higher education is fundamental to the establishment of a nation, while the skills of graduates must be in line with demand in local, regional and international labour markets.
Egyptian Cultural Attache Rasha Kamal, who is also head of the Egyptian educational mission in UK and Ireland, said educational institutions in Britain are willing to partner with their counterparts in Egypt.
The British side encourages partnership and investment in Egypt through establishing branches of British universities here, offering joint degrees and promoting student exchange, as well as joint scientific research, as per the plan and vision of the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (2022-2032).
