CAIRO – Egyptian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of the first manifesto on the Francophonie scientific diplomacy which aims at enhancing cooperation among Francophonie states and organizing future relations among universities.
The signing ceremony was held with the participation of 32 ministers concerned with higher education and scientific research from the Francophone University Agency (AUF) within the framework of the second edition of the International Week of Scientific Francophonie, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, during the period From 25 to 28 October, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Ashour asserted keenness on boosting cooperation with strategic international partners who play a prominent role in supporting higher education in Egypt including the AUF, which is a key supporter of education, research and culture domains in Egypt.
He underlined the importance of the manifesto on Francophonie scientific diplomacy to organize future relations among various universities.
The concerned ministers have unanimously approved the idea of a statement on scientific diplomacy and it has been fully ratified by the participants in the Sixth Francophone Ministerial Conference in Egypt whether in person or remotely.
The conference witnessed the participation of about 27 ministers from different countries of the world to exchange ideas, visions and proposals to reach the final image on the “Manifesto for Francophone Scientific Diplomacy”, the idea of which was launched during the Fifth Ministerial Conference held in Bucharest, Romania in September 2021.
Meanwhile, DEAN of AUF Slim Khalbous said the manifesto would contribute to enhancing cooperation regarding policies and scientific research among various states and continents along with floating proposals for decision makers to depend more on researchers.
Also, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Higher Education Ministry Ashraf el Azzazi pointed out that AUF was established in 1961, and is one of the first university organizations in the world, with 1,000 member institutions from 118 countries, noting that its mission is to promote and support the emergence of new skills for the comprehensive economic development of societies
He added that this week is the second of its kind, and the first week was previously held during September 2021 in Bucharest, and the agency’s vision and strategic plan from 2021 to 2025 is to develop diplomacy and expand its base by supporting and strengthening relations among the ministers of higher education in the member states, as well as spread the concept of scientific la Francophonie and provide the necessary tools to activate it.
