CAIRO – The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in cooperation with the EU mission in Egypt, on Sunday launched the EU–Egypt Research and Innovation Week.
Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour, Minister of Planning Rania el Mashat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst, along with senior officials, experts, academics, university presidents and ministry leaders from both sides attended the launching.
The launch marks the largest event of its kind since Egypt joined the Horizon Europe program as a partner country, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Egypt–EU Cooperation Agreement in science and technology—representing a new milestone in bilateral scientific collaboration.
Abdel Ghaffar said Egypt’s experiment in recent years has shown that investing in people through education, healthcare and skills development is the true foundation of national progress.
He added that cooperation programs with the EU, such as Horizon Europe, PRIMA, Erasmus+ and MSCA, have played a vital role in supporting Egyptian researchers and linking them to global research networks.
He noted that the world is facing rapid challenges in health, energy, climate change and artificial intelligence, making a strong research and innovation system a national necessity aligned with the state’s vision.
The government, he said, is working to link knowledge to decision-making and translate research outputs into practical applications that improve services and meet citizens’ needs.
Abdel Ghaffar said the Research and Innovation Week provides a practical platform to deepen cooperation through specialized sessions, proposal-writing workshops, experience-sharing between Egyptian and European universities, and field visits to support effective partnerships in research and innovation.
He said the next phase of cooperation will prioritize public health, digital transformation in healthcare systems, biotechnology and precision medicine, food and water security, renewable energy and climate adaptation, artificial intelligence, smart industry and community-driven innovation.
He also emphasized the central role of young researchers, whose creativity and ambition drive progress, adding that EU partnership opens wide opportunities for capacity-building and international exposure.
Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour said the presence of experts, researchers and policymakers from Egypt and the EU reflects strong commitment to strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem.
Over the past two decades, he noted, Egypt has participated in more than 300 EU-funded research and innovation projects—particularly in health, environment-climate, water and clean energy—demonstrating strong alignment on scientific priorities.
He highlighted Egypt’s active participation in Horizon Europe projects in public health, medical technologies, climate resilience, advanced water treatment, renewable energy systems and cultural heritage, as well as the social sciences and sustainable mobility.
Ashour noted that Egypt has taken part in 92 PRIMA projects between 2018 and 2024, involving more than 100 national institutions and receiving over €17 million in funding. These projects addressed agricultural systems (36%), agri-food value chains (34%), water resources and innovation (23%), and the water–energy–food–climate nexus (7%).
Mashat said the sustainability agenda reflects Egypt’s commitment to scientific research and innovation as the cornerstone of building the future. Investing in youth, researchers and entrepreneurs, she said, is the foundation of genuine economic development.
Mashat highlighted efforts to strengthen universities and research institutions, expand international cooperation and create an environment supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, policymaking reforms, and support for startups and access to technology and finance.
She noted that the Egypt–EU partnership is built not only on technical and financial support but on a shared vision for human and industrial development.
Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat expressed confidence in the success of the EU–Egypt liaison office for research and innovation, noting that the partnership aligns with Egypt’s vision to become a regional hub for innovation and scientific research.
Esmat highlighted Egypt’s efforts to advance renewable energy projects and ensure sustainable energy supply, stressing numerous opportunities for joint cooperation in achieving safe energy access and promoting renewable-resource use across the Middle East and North Africa.
The EU official said the gathering reflects the depth of EU–Egypt strategic ties, which have produced more than 300 successful cooperation projects in health, climate, renewable energy and water—supporting development and driving innovation.
She praised the participation of hundreds of Egyptian researchers and reaffirmed that knowledge exchange remains central to the expanding partnership.
Eichhorst said the launching of the research week coincides with celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Egypt–EU science and technology cooperation agreement, noting that Egypt became the first fully associated partner in Horizon Europe following the signing ceremony in Brussels on 22 October—describing it as a pivotal milestone.
