The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research chairs the Private Universities Council meeting

? Dr. Ayman Ashour commends the efforts of Egyptian universities in maximizing the benefits of their capabilities and investing their resources to provide a new level of educational services

? The Minister of Higher Education emphasizes that private universities offer interdisciplinary programs that meet the development requirements of each university's geographic region

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Statement issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research:

Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, chaired the Private Universities Council meeting, attended by Dr. Maher Mesbah, Secretary of the Council, members of the Council, and a group of Ministry leaders. The meeting was held at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. At the beginning of the meeting, the Council extended its sincere thanks and appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his continued support of the higher education system and his issuance of 12 presidential decrees establishing new private universities, including: Suez Private University, Damanhour Private University, Cairo Private University, Ain Shams Private University, Sohag Private University, Kafr El-Sheikh Private University, New Valley Private University, Fayoum Private University, Tanta Private University, Luxor Private University, Damietta Private University, and Sadat City Private University. The Minister explained that private universities have become a strong addition to the Egyptian higher education system and have achieved remarkable progress since their inception, earning them the trust of Egyptian society, including students and parents. They represent a pioneering model for providing modern, high-quality education based on the connection between knowledge and application. The Minister referred to his recent visit to Fayoum Private University and Damietta Private University, praising both universities. He also commended Egyptian universities for maximizing the benefits of their assets by establishing private universities, which emerged from public universities, and re-exploiting their financial and human resources to provide a new level of educational service that keeps pace with modern developments. He thanked public universities for their role in this endeavor.

The Minister also noted the political leadership's directive to hold intensive workshops in the coming period to maximize the benefits of universities' academic and research role. The workshops are scheduled to begin at Cairo University. During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the need to monitor the readiness of private universities to commence studies starting with the 2025/2026 academic year. He emphasized the need to complete all academic and logistical preparations, provide modern infrastructure, specialized laboratories, and administrative structures to ensure effective performance before the university is operational. He directed that private universities focus on offering interdisciplinary programs that suit the geographic region surrounding the university and help students enter the labor market. He also emphasized supporting partnerships with relevant international universities and integration with public universities to ensure the financial and academic sustainability of both universities (the founding university and the private university it spawns), within the context of ongoing coordination between the various components of the Egyptian higher education system.

The Minister also directed the continued work of the committee formed to provide scholarships at private universities to outstanding and distinguished students, according to clear principles and standards, in recognition of their efforts and academic excellence. This falls within the framework of the Ministry's strategy aimed at nurturing outstanding and exceptional students and motivating them to continue to excel and innovate. This contributes to the preparation of distinguished national cadres capable of facing future challenges and participating effectively in achieving sustainable development and building a knowledge society. His Excellency also directed the committee to support social and humanitarian cases.

The Council approved the formation of an advisory committee for the Committee for the Selection of Presidents of Private Universities, with Dr. Nasser El-Gizawy, President of Benha University, and Counselor Dr. Atef Omar, Legal Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education, as members. The committee may seek assistance from anyone it deems appropriate. This committee is responsible for examining any grievances submitted to it regarding candidates for the position of president of a private university. The committee is also responsible for reviewing any issues related to its scope of work referred to it by the Minister of Higher Education and the Chairman of the Council of Private Universities, and it presents its recommendations to the Council of Private Universities.

Dr. Maher Mesbah, Secretary of the Council of Private Universities, explained that the meeting reviewed the report of the committee formed to review the internal regulations of private universities in which no public universities participate, regarding the formation of boards of trustees and university presidents, and some other provisions.

The Council was informed of a draft cooperation protocol between the public university and its affiliated private university, regulating the relationship between the two universities.

The Council decided to affirm the previous decision regarding the system for reimbursing tuition fees in the event of students withdrawing from universities. Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the Ministry's official spokesperson, explained that the Council approved the mechanisms for grants and exemptions from various tuition fees from private universities for beneficiaries of the Fund to Honor Martyrs, Victims, Missing Persons, and Injured Persons in War and Terrorist Operations and their Families.

The spokesperson added that the Council was briefed on the report of the technical committee formed to study the rules for scholarships for admission to private universities, in accordance with the presidential decree issued in this regard. The scholarships are 10% of the number of students to be admitted annually, for each college separately.

The Council also confirmed the continued implementation of the rules for admission of students who hold (Al-Azhar Secondary School Certificate - Five-Year Technical Secondary Certificate - Three-Year Technical Secondary Certificate - Two-Year Intermediate Institute Certificate) to enroll in private universities. The Council also noted the rules for admission of foreign students who hold (Technical Secondary Certificate - Institute Diploma) to enroll in private universities.

The Council was also informed of the renewal of the scholarship agreement for a dual study program at the bachelor's degree level.