24/10/2022

Within the framework of the economic conference:Minister of Higher Education participates in the activities of a roadmap session to increase the participation of the private sector in the education sector

On the sidelines of the activities of the Economic Conference - Egypt 2022, which was inaugurated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic on Sunday, and organized by the government during the period from 23 to 25 October; to discuss the conditions and future of the Egyptian economy, with the wide participation of a group of senior economists, thinkers, and specialized experts. Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, participated in the activities of a session entitled "A roadmap to increase the participation of the private sector in the education sector".

In his speech, the minister gave a detailed presentation on the role of higher education and scientific research in the knowledge economy in several pillars: private sector participation in higher education, universality of education and attracting investment, entrepreneurship and support for emerging projects, investment incentives and attracting foreign investors.

Prof. Ashour pointed out that the World Bank set a framework and identified the basic pillars of the knowledge economy, which are: education and training, research and innovation, economic incentives and institutional system, information and communication technology, and infrastructure, stressing the importance of higher education in developing the knowledge economy, explaining that higher education institutions play an important role in the transfer of knowledge to industry.

The minister stated that the role of higher education in the knowledge economy is based on several basic axes: linking educational institutions to the needs of the labor market, achieving a knowledge-based economy, improving the skills of the current workforce, encouraging creativity, creating high-quality job opportunities, and improving salaries and income for graduates.

Prof. Ayman Ashour indicated that the total number of high school students enrolled in universities amounted to 579,883 (male and female students), distributed as follows: (365.007 for the scientific section at 63%, 214.876 for the literary section at 37%), indicating that the total number of students enrolled in public and private universities amounted to 71,000 students distributed as follows: (72% high school, 27% equivalent certificates), confirming the increase in the number of students admitted to public and private universities this year compared to last year by up to 58%, as well as a sharp decrease in the number of Egyptian students studying abroad this year.

The minister stressed that higher education is one of the most important investments that contribute to increasing the domestic product and providing job opportunities, whether at the local, regional or international levels, and qualifying the graduate for a more effective and successful participation in the development process of society and country.

Prof. Ashour stressed the Egyptian state's keenness to place education at the top of the priorities of development work, as quality education is a major component of the first goals of its sustainable development strategy (Egypt Vision 2030), explaining that the United Nations has made education the fourth goal of its 17 sustainable development goals (ensuring equitable and inclusive quality education), for all, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The minister added that investment is underway in establishing new educational institutions, as well as the ministry's mechanisms to stimulate a sustainable environment for educational institutions.

Prof. Ashour sheds light on the establishment of 10 new technological universities covering all regions of the republic, which are (New Cairo Technological - Delta Technological - Beni Suef Technological, October 6th Technological - Borg El Arab Technological - East Port Said Technological - Thebes Technological - New Assiut Technological - Samanoud Technological - Egypt International Technological University), pointing to the role of the National Authority for Civil and Technological Universities in coordinating with the concerned authorities to achieve the state's vision of establishing new educational institutions in cooperation with the private sector and foreign institutions.

In the conclusion of his speech, Prof. Ashour stressed the need for dialogue and communication with all partners; to exchange experiences to advance the strategic plans of the education sector, pointing to the importance of close cooperation and partnership between the state and the private and civil sectors; to implement the state's plans to advance the education system.

On her part, Dr. Sawsan Morsy, President of Merritt University, pointed to the gap between the current situation and what is required according to Egypt's Vision 2030, as well as the size of investment required in education, reviewing the package of policies stimulating the private sector in higher education.

In his speech, Prof. Hossam El-Mallahi, President of Al-Nahda University, gave a number of themes about investor confidence and the stability of legislation, reviewing the efforts made in the file of expatriates and attracting investments in the education sector.

In his speech, Prof. Abdulaziz Konsowa, President of Alexandria University, gave a speech on several axes, including: education competitiveness and internationalization, stressing the need to link scientific research with industry, and the role of higher education in a knowledge-based economy, pointing to the importance of entrepreneurship and emerging projects.

On his part, Prof. Ahmed Darwish, former Minister of Administrative Development, stressed the importance of listening to investors and providing incentives to encourage investment, pointing to the importance of working to attract scholarships from civil society and establishing partnerships with foreign bodies.

It is worth mentioning that the session aims to identify opportunities and prospects for strengthening partnership with the private sector to support the educational process in a way that enhances the role of development partners in advancing Egyptian education, whether public or technical, in addition to higher education.