Ashraf AboArafe
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, received Maria Christina Russo, Director of the Global Approach and International Cooperation in Research and Innovation Department at the European Commission, Ambassador Christian Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo, and their accompanying delegation. To discuss ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and the European Union countries, at the Ministry’s headquarters.
At the beginning of the meeting, the minister stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the European Union, especially in the fields of science, technology and innovation, praising the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the European Union in many initiatives, programs and projects, noting the importance of strengthening the role of cooperation with the European Union to support the realization of the ministry’s vision and action plan. And in line with the priorities and programs of the European Union.
Dr. Ayman Ashour referred to the future vision of the system of higher education and scientific research during the years 2022-2032, which is in line with achieving the goals of sustainable development and Egypt’s vision 2030, stressing that this vision is based on 7 main axes that are in line with the priorities of the special policy of the European Union’s programs in its current period. Until 2027, the most important of which are: innovation, industry, renewable energy and health, explaining that the ministry’s future vision aims to reach (leadership and creativity) by creating a system that develops creativity and links it to society, and encourages youth to innovate.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed increasing cooperation opportunities with the European Union in various fields, most notably health, culture, creativity and inclusive society, digital industry and space, climate, energy and mobility, food and vital economy, natural resources, agriculture and the environment, with a focus on strengthening Egypt’s role within the framework of the sea countries. Mediterranean as well as on the African continent.
The two sides discussed organizing several workshops with the participation of faculty members and researchers. With the aim of building capacities and supporting submission and participation in various programs funded by the European Union, through a road map in areas of common interest that serve the country’s vision and sustainable development goals.
For her part, Maria Russo praised the cooperation with Egypt, stressing the European Union’s keenness to support Egypt’s vision to achieve its development goals, through the implementation of many initiatives, programs and joint projects, noting that the European Union is interested in focusing on three areas: new and renewable energy, health, And the issue of climate change, praising the success of cooperation with Egypt through the implementation of many projects and programmes, including the Horizon Europe program, which provides support and funding for scientists and research and innovation programs.
Rousseau added that the European Union seeks, through many initiatives and projects, to achieve the goals of the United Nations for sustainable development, invest in science, and encourage technology and innovation, noting the European Union’s keenness to enhance prospects for cooperation with the countries of the Mediterranean basin, and the African Union, especially in the areas of food. energy, climate change and health within the Horizon Europe programme.
For his part, the ambassador of the European Union praised the distinguished relations with Egypt as a key partner in the Middle East region, referring to the existing cooperation between Egypt and the European Union in many fields, especially in the fields of higher education and scientific research, including: the European Union program to support higher education «Erasmus». Which aims to cooperate at the level of academic student exchange, and to provide individual grants for students, researchers and employees to travel to Europe, as well as the European Union’s program for higher education “Erasmus+” to encourage scientific innovation, and the Partnership Initiative for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean “PRIMA” program, and the program Horizon, expressing his aspiration to further cooperation and deepening partnership with Egypt in all fields, especially the field of clean energy, technological development, and the digital economy.
On the Egyptian side, the meeting was attended by Dr. Mohamed El-Shennawy, Acting President of Galala University, Ambassador Omar Abu Eish, Head of the National Office for the Implementation of the Partnership Agreement between Egypt and the European Union, and Dr. Salma Yousry, Advisor to the Minister for International Cooperation
And from the European Commission, and Ninki Bosimman, Head of the General Department for Research, Innovation, Global Approach, International Cooperation for Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and External Relations at the European Commission, Dr. Heba Jaber, Regional Officer for Research and Innovation at the European Union Delegation to Egypt, and Alessandro Calabro, Political Officer for Cooperation in the Field of Science, Technology and Innovation in the East Central and Southern Mediterranean, European Commission.
