Egypt, Turkey Agree on Higher Education Co-op, Plan Joint University in Cairo

Nada Mustafa

Dr. Erol Özvar, Chairman of Turkish Council of Higher Education, visited Cairo, accompanied by Turkish Ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, where they met with Dr. Ayman Ashour, Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in Egypt's new administrative capital.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both sides, including the Chairman of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Universities, key university presidents from Egypt, and other academic leaders.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed the implementation of the cooperation agreement in higher education, signed during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Ankara on September 4, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting addressed broad topics on higher education and scientific research cooperation, as well as a strategic vision for joint research collaboration.

The two sides reached a preliminary agreement on establishing a Turkish-Egyptian university in Cairo. Additionally, discussions included the exchange of academics and researchers, with priority areas in health and engineering.

They also explored the provision of scholarships from Turkey to Egyptian university students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as the deployment of Turkish faculty members to nearly 20 Turkish studies departments in Egypt.

The possibility of establishing an Egyptology department in Turkey was also assessed.

The two countries agreed in principle to collaborate in technological and industrial fields within these areas and other related scientific and technological research sectors, considering the technological contributions of Turkish-Egyptian companies and committed to continued cooperation.

During the meeting, Dr. Erol Özvar extended an invitation to Dr. Ayman Ashour to visit Turkey, which the Egyptian minister gladly accepted.