Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Abdel Aziz Konsowa on Tuesday discussed with Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bournemouth University (BU) Alison Honour means of boosting academic co-operation in areas of mutual interest, including promoting cross-border education, exchanging expertise, and developing joint programs.
During the meeting, Konsowa and Honour discussed prospects of promoting co-operation in medical and technological fields, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship.
The meeting tackled opportunities for educational and cultural collaboration with British universities, including the potential establishment of a branch of Bournemouth University in Egypt, as part of efforts to reinforce Egypt’s status as a regional hub for higher education.
During the meeting, minister Konsowa affirmed the depth and distinction of relations between Egypt and the UK, stressing Egypt’s commitment to boosting joint co-operation and expanding partnerships in higher education and scientific research to support academic integration, develop human capacities, and serve the mutual interests of both countries.
Konsowa reviewed the significant progress achieved in Egypt’s higher education system in recent years, including the expansion in establishing universities, the introduction of branches of foreign universities, and the offering of dual-degree programmes in co-operation with prestigious international institutions.
He emphasised the importance of enahncing academic and research collaboration with international institutions, noting the success of foreign university branches in Egypt, which now number nine, in delivering high-quality education and internationally recognised degrees without requiring students to travel abroad.
For her part, Honour praised the notable development of Egypt’s higher education and scientific research system, expressing Bournemouth University’s readiness to strengthen co-operation with Egyptian universities and exchange academic expertise to support the advancement of education in both countries.
She highlighted the university’s global standing, ranking 41st in the United Kingdom according to the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and placing among the world’s top 500 universities.
The university hosts around 17,000 students from more than 120 countries and offers over 140 academic programmes across three main faculties: business and law, health and environmental sciences and medicine, and media, science, and technology, Honour said.
