Minister of Higher Education and Acting Minister of Culture Discusses Enhancing Cooperation with the French Ambassador in Cairo

Dr. Abdel-Aziz Qansowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, received Mr. Eric Chevalier, French Ambassador to Cairo, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Dr. Mounir Fakhry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the French University in Egypt, and Dr. Mohamed Roushdy, President of the University.

The meeting was attended by Dr. El-Sayed Qandil, President of Capital University, Dr. Amr Shaat, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, and Dr. Hany Madkour, Assistant Minister for National Projects.

From the French side, Ms. Marie-Cécile Théron, Director of the French Development Agency (AFD), and Mr. Matthieu Combe, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Egypt, attended.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abdel-Aziz Qansowa emphasized the depth of Egyptian-French relations and the continuous development they witness in various fields, especially in higher education and scientific research. He noted the importance of the partnership between the two countries in supporting academic and research cooperation pathways and enhancing communication between Egyptian and French university and research institutions. He pointed out that cooperation between the two countries in these fields has witnessed remarkable growth during the past period, reflecting the keenness of both sides to develop frameworks of cooperation and benefit from the capabilities and expertise available in the academic and research institutions of both countries.

The Minister pointed out the importance of building upon what has been achieved in Egyptian-French cooperation in the fields of higher education and scientific research, expanding areas of academic and research partnership, and supporting partnerships between Egyptian and French universities and research institutions. This keeps pace with rapid developments in scientific and technological disciplines, contributes to the development of educational and research programs, and supports the preparation of graduates who possess the necessary skills to compete in the labor market locally, regionally, and internationally.

The Minister noted that the French University in Egypt represents one of the important models of academic cooperation between the two countries, explaining that the new campus project enjoys the support of the Egyptian state and aims to provide a modern university environment that keeps pace with global developments in higher education and scientific research, supporting modern disciplines and interdisciplinary academic programs in accordance with labor market needs, and enhancing the university's ability to contribute to the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship.

For his part, Mr. Eric Chevalier, French Ambassador to Cairo, affirmed his country's support for academic and research cooperation with Egypt, praising the development witnessed in cooperation between the two countries in the fields of higher education and scientific research.

The French Ambassador also affirmed the French side's keenness to continue cooperation and coordination with the Egyptian side to complete the new campus project according to the highest technical specifications, enabling the university to offer modern educational programs and enhance its capabilities in the fields of scientific research, innovation, and technology.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the latest updates on the project and the status of ongoing work at the new campus, alongside discussing mechanisms for continuing work during the upcoming phase.

The two sides agreed to continue coordination between the relevant Egyptian and French authorities concerned with the project, and to continue monitoring implementation rates, contributing to achieving the objectives of the new campus and maximizing the benefit from the Egyptian-French partnership in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and innovation.