Cairo University’s grand celebration hall hosted a historic event, the "Egyptian-French Universities Forum," which was graced by the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. The event marked a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Egypt and France in the fields of higher education and research.

Dr. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, hailed the forum as a pivotal moment in the development of higher education and the strengthening of cooperation between the two nations. He emphasized that this forum is not just a step forward in academic collaboration but also a testament to Egypt’s commitment to expanding partnerships with leading international universities to meet the needs of the evolving job market.

During the event, Cairo University’s President, Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel-Sadek, signed six memorandums of understanding with prominent French universities and institutions. These agreements cover key fields such as engineering, energy, smart cities, sustainability, archaeology, and Eastern civilization. This collaboration aims to enhance educational and research ties, fostering joint degree programs and research initiatives that address the growing global challenges.

In his speech, Dr. Ashour highlighted Egypt’s remarkable educational growth, noting that the country now boasts 116 universities, with over 4 million students, including 180,000 international students from 117 countries. He further noted the launch of Egypt’s Knowledge Bank, one of the largest digital educational platforms globally, which reflects Egypt’s role as a leader in knowledge export, especially to Arab and African countries.

The forum also witnessed the signing of 42 cooperation protocols between Egyptian and French universities, covering 70 collaborative programs and 30 dual degree offerings tailored to meet the demands of the job market. This extensive partnership aims to bridge the gap between education and economic development, ensuring that academic programs are aligned with the needs of today’s rapidly changing industries.

French Minister of Higher Education, Philippe Baptiste, lauded Cairo University for its longstanding history and its pivotal role in fostering global peace and cultural dialogue. He also underscored the importance of scientific cooperation in strengthening the bond between the Egyptian and French peoples, emphasizing that both nations have been at the forefront of many groundbreaking scientific revolutions aimed at improving humanity’s well-being.

Cairo University’s role as one of the most prestigious institutions in the Arab world and Africa was also highlighted. Dr. Abdel-Sadek expressed pride in the university’s contributions to the intellectual and scientific community, pointing out that the forum, held under the auspices of Presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Emmanuel Macron, reflects the university`s role in promoting scientific and cultural dialogue.

Dr. Ashour further stressed that the cooperation between Egypt and France is vital in shaping the future of education, especially for the youth, who are the driving force behind future innovations and development. He reiterated that France is a strategic partner in Egypt’s ongoing development and human capital building efforts.

The event concluded with a call for deeper collaboration between Egyptian and French institutions, with both sides expressing a commitment to expanding joint ventures aimed at benefiting young people and enhancing the global impact of their educational and scientific endeavors.