CAIRO, May 7 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli chaired on Wednesday the first meeting of the National Council for Education, Research, and Innovation (NCERI) on Wednesday, signaling a major push to overhaul the country’s education and research systems amid rapid technological advancements.

The meeting was attended by a host of statesmen, including Deputy Premier and Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy PM for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el Wazir, Defense Minister Abdel Majeed Saqr, Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfik, Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour, Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.

Madbouli stressed the council’s role in aligning Egypt’s pre-university and higher education systems with global shifts especially as regards the application of artificial intelligence (AI).

He said the meeting tackled current challenges in Egypt’s education and innovation landscape.

Ashour outlined progress in seven strategic axes: integration, interdisciplinary specializations, connectivity, active participation, sustainability, international benchmarking, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Highlighting integration, Ashour discussed aligning academic and research institutions with regional economic activities to bolster national development. He referred to the “Alliance and Development” presidential initiative, promoting regional partnerships among government entities and industry players.

The minister showcased initiatives linking scientific research with industry, including the electric vehicle rally in New Alamein and the development of low-speed electric vehicles suited to smart cities. Notably, Egypt produced its first EU-certified, domestically-manufactured ventilator. Other efforts include the EV-Tech project for low-speed vehicle technology transfer and a model agricultural tech research farm in Marsa Matrouh.

Ashour emphasized creating programs blending specializations aligned with future job markets and upskilling faculty. Regarding global connectivity, he said 337 joint academic programs are being run with foreign partners across Egyptian universities. He highlighted the “Egypt Scholarships and Educational Tourism” initiative and efforts to align education with labor market skills through university career centers, which have helped place thousands of graduates.

Ashour underscored the active role of higher education in economic and societal development. He noted university hospitals—125 facilities supported by over 31,000 faculty—serve millions with quality healthcare services and are integral to national health campaigns, including early cancer detection and the “Decent Life” initiative, which has deployed over 1,000 medical convoys.

He also detailed student engagement initiatives such as “100 Days of Sports,” “Learn with Health,” and “Empower,” aimed at health, inclusion, and labor market readiness.

On sustainability, the minister cited the expansion of Egypt’s university infrastructure, growing from 50 institutions in 2014 to 116 by 2025. The international benchmarking axis focuses on enhancing global rankings and accreditation for Egyptian institutions, thereby attracting more international students and bolstering overseas campuses.

Ashour discussed fostering a startup ecosystem through TV programming, attracting 20,000 student participants and 976 startup proposals, with EGP 82 million in total funding. He also introduced the National Network for Talents and Innovators.

Ashour announced the launch of the Japanese-style ELKosen colleges in Egypt from September 2025, in collaboration with JICA. The first campus in 10th of Ramadan City will offer five-year programs in robotics, AI, green energy, and microelectronics, modeled on Japan’s technological institutes.

Education Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif addressed school overcrowding, noting emergency measures such as dual shifts, space optimization, and six-day school weeks, alongside long-term plans to build up to 15,000 classrooms annually. He claimed student density had dropped below 50 per class, with an average of 38.

To address teacher shortages, he highlighted hiring initiatives, increased pay, and new policies extending teacher service until August 31 of each academic year. These moves reportedly filled over 90% of teaching gaps.

Abdel Latif detailed reforms in secondary education, reducing course loads and introducing a proposed Egyptian Baccalaureate focused on critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. A nationwide survey of students is currently informing this reform.

Alaa Ashmawy, head of the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation, outlined progress in raising private institute standards and aligning national qualifications frameworks with international benchmarks.

Established by a presidential decree issued by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the council reports directly to the president of the Republic with the aim of laying down National Strategy to develop education, scientific research, and innovation, reviewing national priorities in education, research, and innovation across various sectors and improving the educational process. (MENA)
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