Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture Abdel Aziz Qanswa congratulated on Wednesday the scientists and researchers of the National Research Centre (NRC) on the centre’s official accession to the Shanghai Alliance for Innovation in Agricultural Science and Technology, affiliated with the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation.
He said the achievement reflects the distinguished international standing of Egyptian research institutions and their ability to compete within leading global scientific alliances, supporting innovation and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The minister affirmed the ministry’s commitment to expanding co-operation with international scientific institutions in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, with a focus on knowledge exchange, technology transfer and localisation, and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian research in priority fields, particularly food security, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence.
NRC President and Acting President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology Mamdouh Moawad said the membership represents an important step in strengthening international scientific co-operation and keeping pace with advances in agricultural science and technology, enabling the centre to benefit from global expertise and reinforce the role of research in supporting national development.
He explained that the Shanghai Alliance serves as a strategic regional platform for co-operation in food security, modern irrigation technologies, seed exchange, advanced agricultural research, smart agriculture, digital agriculture and artificial intelligence applications, particularly in arid regions.
The alliance also promotes technology transfer, specialised training programmes, capacity building and the exchange of scientific expertise.
Moawad added that membership will expand the centre’s international research partnerships, create greater opportunities for researchers to participate in joint scientific projects, and facilitate access to advanced technologies and global best practices to develop innovative solutions for agricultural challenges and strengthen Egypt’s food security and sustainable development efforts.
He noted that National Research Centre representative Maher Fathi Attia attended the alliance’s annual conference in Qingdao, China, where he participated in the scientific sessions and officially received the centre’s membership certificate, marking a new milestone in expanding cooperation with leading international research institutions.
