Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol to settle financing arrangements for the establishment of 11 state-affiliated national universities at a total value of EGP 48.5 billion over three years.
The protocol was signed by Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa, and Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom.
The agreement aims to resolve financial obligations between the Ministries of Finance, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Planning and Economic Development as part of wider government efforts to close outstanding financial files between ministries and state bodies.
Madbouly said the protocol reflects the government’s serious work to address financial overlaps between public entities, describing the issue as one of the government’s top priorities. He added that several meetings have been held to reach suitable settlements and close these files.
The prime minister said the agreement also reflects the state’s commitment to improving educational services and expanding academic programmes in line with global developments and the needs of future generations, in implementation of directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the government gives priority to increasing investment in human development and expanding advanced programmes that improve education services. He said spending on education will remain a top priority within Egypt’s broader vision to build the capabilities and skills of its citizens.
Kouchouk added that Egypt aims to provide quality education opportunities that meet the needs of development and the local and global labour markets. He said the creation of national and technological universities that meet international standards would offer advanced academic programmes at a more affordable cost compared with private and international universities.
The finance minister said continued coordination between government bodies is essential to ensure sustainable financing for national and technological university projects, as well as to develop educational and research infrastructure. He added that these efforts would help improve the quality of education and link academic programmes to labour market needs by offering scientific specialisations that prepare qualified technical cadres in different fields.
Higher Education Minister Abdelaziz Konsowa said the protocol reflects Egypt’s firm commitment to supporting the national university system and ensuring its sustainability. He said these universities have an important role in providing modern university education and conducting scientific research that supports comprehensive development.
Konsowa added that the protocol represents an integrated model of institutional coordination between state bodies and reflects a strategic move towards investing in human capital. He said it would expand access to modern university education and support a fairer distribution of educational services across Egypt’s governorates.
Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rostom said the protocol comes within the framework of continuous coordination between national institutions to implement President El-Sisi’s directives on increasing investment in human development and improving the quality of university education.
Rostom said higher education and scientific research remain among the main sectors receiving state support due to their role in economic development. He added that the settlement would help finance the establishment of 11 national universities, strengthening Egypt’s educational infrastructure and improving the quality of available university opportunities.
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