The Egypt-France Higher Education and Scientific Research Forum officially kicked off this morning in Cairo, marking a significant milestone in the academic and scientific partnership between the two nations. The two-day event, held on April 7–8, coincides with the historic visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Egypt and is attended by a high-level delegation from both countries.

Organized under the patronage of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Philippe Baptiste, France’s Minister of Higher Education, the forum brings together more than 400 participants from over 100 Egyptian and French institutions, including university presidents, academic leaders, and research officials.

The forum aims to initiate a new phase of strategic cooperation between Egypt and France, focusing on joint academic programs, linking education to industry, promoting innovation, and advancing the internationalization of higher education.

Opening Remarks and Strategic Vision
Dr. Hossam Othman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, opened the forum on behalf of Dr. Ayman Ashour. He welcomed the diverse academic audience, praising the deep-rooted educational and cultural ties between Egypt and France, and underscored internationalization as a core pillar of Egypt`s Higher Education Strategy and Vision 2030.

Dr. Othman outlined Egypt’s National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research, which is built on seven key principles: integration, interdisciplinarity, communication, active participation, sustainability, international benchmarking, and innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration and student exchange to align education with labor market demands and global standards.

He also highlighted the need for diverse funding sources for higher education—ranging from government support to private sector partnerships—and called for improved efficiency in educational institutions. Furthermore, he advocated for expanding innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives through university-based incubators and aligning educational goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Modern technologies like artificial intelligence and e-learning, he said, must be integrated into the education system, alongside digital infrastructure upgrades. Dr. Othman reiterated the strength of the Egypt-France partnership, rooted in a rich history of collaboration and shared success.

Strengthening Bilateral Academic Ties
In his speech, Dr. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Universities, hailed the forum as a landmark event in the academic and research relations between Egypt and France. He affirmed the strategic importance of internationalizing higher education, noting that knowledge and innovation are key drivers of national development.

Dr. Refaat announced several new agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to be signed during the forum. He highlighted the French University in Egypt as a successful cross-border academic collaboration, now working on building a new environmentally friendly campus offering internationally accredited dual degrees.

He also noted that the Supreme Council of Universities—celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year—remains committed to transforming Egypt’s universities into fourth-generation institutions that deliver modern, innovation-driven education responsive to societal needs.

Perspectives on Academic Collaboration
Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning and Labor Market Qualification, noted that Egypt-France academic cooperation is rooted in decades of cultural and scientific exchange. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to expanding this cooperation and creating new partnerships through Egypt’s cultural and academic attaché office in France.

Dr. Farid praised the French University in Egypt for attracting international students and offering interdisciplinary programs. He highlighted the importance of academic diplomacy in developing a joint educational model that supports the knowledge economy and research innovation.

French Perspective and Cultural Diplomacy
Dr. Laurent Gatineau, President of CY Cergy Paris University and representative of "France Universités," expressed France’s pride in its longstanding academic ties with Egypt. He described the collaboration as a model of cultural integration and mutual respect, with historical roots tracing back to Egyptian scholars studying in France.

He cited the French University in Egypt as a flagship initiative and shared that new protocols and projects would be launched during the forum to foster scientific progress and strengthen ties through academic and research diplomacy.

Coralie Chevalier, President of the High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES), emphasized the importance of accreditation standards and mutual academic recognition. She praised successful collaborations—such as in law—and reiterated France’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s educational and scientific development, particularly in sustainable development and regional leadership.

Forum Agenda and Strategic Outcomes
The forum’s agenda includes panel discussions on:

Internationalizing higher education and scientific research systems;
Evaluating current Egypt-France academic cooperation and exploring future prospects;
Strengthening ties between academia and industry;
Enhancing research and innovation capabilities through partnerships.
These sessions will feature university presidents, ministry officials, researchers, and private sector representatives from both countries, fostering connections between academic institutions and the labor market to align curricula with real-world economic needs.

Notable Milestones in Egypt-France Cooperation
The forum also highlights Egypt-France joint achievements:

Over 70 active collaborative projects in fields like health, engineering, digital transformation, and social sciences;
Ongoing efforts to transfer more than 30 French academic degrees to Egyptian universities;
Interest from three French institutions in establishing branches in Egypt;
Signing of new agreements with French engineering schools and a postdoctoral funding deal between the French Embassy and Egypt’s Science, Technology & Innovation Support Fund (STDF).
The Egypt-France Higher Education and Scientific Research Forum reaffirms the two countries’ mutual commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and building a future-oriented educational framework that serves both nations and the broader region.