28/11/2022

Minister of Higher Education welcomes the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Education to discuss joint cooperation

Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chairman of the Egyptian National Committee for Education, Science and Culture "UNESCO" welcomed Dr. Costanza Farina, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Beirut, and Dr. Fadi Yarak, Senior Adviser for Education in the Arab Countries to UNESCO.

At the beginning of the meeting, the minister affirmed Egypt's keenness to strengthen and develop ties with UNESCO in the scientific, educational and cultural fields, pointing to the size and history of the great relations that link Egypt and the organization, which is represented in the realization and implementation of many cooperation projects.

The two sides discussed mechanisms of cooperation in a number of fields and files related to higher education, and the minister stressed Egypt's interest in supporting university education and enhancing the level of Egyptian universities to international standards, through the development of curricula, expansion of availability, and support for students and faculty members.

The Minister discussed with the Director of UNESCO the mechanisms for enhancing cooperation with international universities on issues related to development. The two sides also discussed a proposal on forming joint cooperation in "graduation projects" between students from several international universities. The Minister pointed out the impact of this experience on enriching students' experiences and raising their level of qualification at the pre-graduation stage, providing them with the skills necessary for the labor market, and providing them with the opportunity to benefit from their peers in different countries in the same fields of scientific specialization.

Prof. Ashour also appreciated the efforts of UNESCO in supporting student exchange, and paying attention to the rehabilitation of students at the pre-graduation stage, pointing out the importance of providing training opportunities for students at the undergraduate level.

The two sides discussed the UNESCO regional agreement, as Dr. Costanza referred to Egypt's pivotal regional role, and UNESCO's keenness to cooperate with the states parties to the regional agreement, to enhance communication between the countries of the region to serve the development of their education systems, as well as consulting on issues of education and culture.

Dr. Costanza congratulated Dr. Ashour on his assignment to the ministry, expressing her wishes that the coming period would witness more cooperation between the ministry and the organization in all fields.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Ashraf Al-Azzazi, Head of the Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector, and the supervisor of the Egyptian National Committee for Education, Science and Culture "UNESCO", and Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Advisor to the Deputy Minister for International Agreements.