Over the past few years, the Ministry of Higher Education has launched 26 initiatives to support the state’s vision in the field of higher education and scientific research. These initiatives aim to enhance the role of innovation and entrepreneurship, in implementation of the political leadership’s directives to maximize the role of universities in developing the economy, benefiting from the capabilities and potential of young people, removing all obstacles facing them, providing a stimulating environment for knowledge production and promoting scientific research, and increasing cooperation between universities and the industrial and business community. This will contribute to supporting the state’s competitiveness regionally and globally, and benefiting from scientific research in confronting economic challenges and achieving sustainable development.
Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, told Al-Watan: “We seek to produce and export knowledge, and to become a regional center for innovation and creativity, investing in the human capabilities that Egypt possesses of creators and innovators. The number of initiatives that have been launched so far has reached 26 active initiatives, in addition to the joint presidential initiatives, which include: (From Patent to Product, the Seventh Cairo International Innovation Exhibition, 100 Days of Sports, Empowering Service and Caring for Students with Disabilities, Egypt’s GATE Genius Car, Study in Egypt, Alliance and Development, Egyptian Educational Grants EGY AID, the Egyptian-Japanese Initiative, Green Financing, Stars Short Grants, Technology Incubators, Tawasul, Dairy Challenge, Support for Desert Agriculture, Bridges, Modernizing Industry in Partnership with Al-Arabi Company, Medical Devices Alliance, Laboratory Devices Alliance, National Marketing Center Alliance, National Laboratories, Technology Marketing Offices, the Summit Forum for Student Initiatives in Egyptian Universities and Institutes, Preparing Arab World Leaders, Pioneers of Digital Egypt, and the Egypt Research Network Initiative.
He explained that the Ministry has established 15 business incubators, contracted to implement 635 projects, and launched a number of initiatives to link scientific research with industry, such as the “Bedayati” project, the National Program for Technology Incubators “Intilaq”, and the National Program for Technology Alliances. He confirmed that a number of cooperation programs have been launched with foreign countries to benefit from international experiences, including those in China, Spain, Japan, Germany, and France. He also launched the Young Researchers Program to support research projects for young researchers, while providing technical support for scientific research operations through the Supreme Council for Research Centers, Institutes, and Bodies.
Ashour revealed details of the launch of the “National Policy for Sustainable Innovation,” a strategic framework aimed at transforming Egypt into an innovative and sustainable knowledge society. This framework is part of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, in light of the Egyptian state’s strategic directions toward supporting innovation and entrepreneurship and linking scientific research to productive sectors, in accordance with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The Minister of Higher Education pointed out that the “Alliance and Development” initiative is a presidential initiative presented by the Ministry of Higher Education, which aims to maximize the outcomes of scientific research as an effective factor in implementing the Egyptian government’s work program. This is based on forming alliances to stimulate creativity and entrepreneurship, in partnership with the public and private sectors. Each alliance works in a specific, promising business sector and high economic growth, primarily based on emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. Each alliance carries out its activities within a specific geographic area or region, to maximize benefits. Each alliance becomes a driver of economic development, a cradle for creative ideas and successful companies, and a pioneer in job creation, to maximize the benefit from available resources and exchange accumulated expertise, which will have a significant impact on wealth building and promoting equality and social justice.
The Minister stated that the Ministry’s plan includes the implementation of numerous projects aimed at continuing to develop all aspects of the educational process in Egypt. He pointed out that these projects aim to create an integrated educational and research system that meets Egypt’s needs in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and innovation. This is within the framework of implementing the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which is in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive vision aimed at enhancing the role of higher education and scientific research in supporting economic and social development in Egypt.
Ashour pointed out that the Ministry’s work priorities are to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and transform scientific research outputs into products of economic value that contribute to serving the national economy. This is achieved by strengthening cooperation between the actors in the university and research system and the beneficiaries through programs and initiatives implemented by the Ministry’s affiliated entities, which constitute its technical arms, such as the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and the Fund for the Care of Innovators and Geniuses.