The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting, headed by Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Saturday, at the Faculty of Science Hall, Ain Shams University, in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Latif, Secretary of the Council and members of the Council.

The Council thanked the family of Ain Shams University, headed by Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El-Metini, President of the University, to host the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

The Minister of Higher Education stressed the need for universities to adhere to the schedule for the second semester of the academic year 2021/2022, directing universities to prepare for the end of the school year exams, and to announce exam schedules to students well in advance of their holding, with a commitment to applying precautionary measures in all examination committees.

Dr.. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesman for the Supreme Council of Universities, stated that the council reviewed in its meeting a number of important reports, including the report submitted by Dr. Hisham Al-Manawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Health Care Fund for faculty members and their assistants, and the report indicated that the number of faculty members participating in the Health Care Fund has increased, and their number has so far reached 33 thousand from 7 universities, and the subscriptions of thousands of new members are currently being terminated, through contracting. With other universities and research centers. The Minister thanked the Fund’s management, Misr Insurance Company, university presidents and the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities for the good cooperation and coordination that led to the start of the service in the Fund on the first of this April as planned, as the Health Care Fund was established based on Law No. 162 of 2018 regulating the establishment of branches Foreign universities, which included the establishment of the fund, and it is financed in accordance with the law and the executive regulations from the following sources: (5% of the budget for establishing each branch of foreign universities in Egypt, and 2% annually of the tuition fees collected by branches of foreign universities from students and scholars in all programs fees imposed on students of external supervision as determined by the executive regulations, and annual subscriptions from members of the fund); This is in order to maintain the continuity of the fund in performing its role in providing health and social care to faculty members and their assistants, and all information related to the fund was made available through its electronic platform.

The Council reviewed the reports submitted by the heads of the technical sectors committees in the Supreme Council of Universities on the results of field visits to faculties in different universities, which were not established 10 years ago, to ensure that all the material and human capabilities necessary for the continuation of the educational process with the required efficiency, and the Minister thanked the various sector committees for their follow-up. field colleges, and directed the need to continue field follow-up during the coming period.

The Council reviewed a report submitted by the Egyptian Cultural Counsellor in Russia, on the conditions of Egyptian students studying in Russian universities, and the report stated that they regularly study in Russian universities. in Russian universities; To check on the conditions of Egyptian students on a permanent basis, while submitting periodic reports in this regard.

The Council reviewed a detailed report on student activities in government universities for the first semester of the current academic year, which amounted to 2,120 activities, in which 604 thousand students participated. In which 114 thousand students, in addition to the implementation of 195 training courses to qualify those who are about to marry, with the participation of 50 thousand students.

The council reviewed the universities’ efforts in implementing the ministry’s plan to disseminate correct ideas and confront the negative effects of extremist thought, in line with the tireless efforts made by ministries and concerned state authorities to combat abnormal concepts and ideas that contradict the tolerant religious beliefs and the authentic cultural and societal legacies of the Egyptian people.

The council also reviewed research topics that serve the industry, prepared by universities to participate in the “Egypt Can Industry” conference, in implementation of presidential directives to support the state’s strategy in the field of industrial settlement, increase the local component, and maximize the benefit from the experiences of Egyptian scientists in this field.

The Council reviewed the ministerial decision to form a committee to select new presidents for universities whose current presidents’ term is nearing completion (Mansoura, Zagazig, Menoufia, Sadat City, Minya, Assiut, Luxor).

The official spokesman of the Supreme Council of Universities added that the Council took several decisions, including approving the mechanism for testing students who obtained degrees from a foreign university or institute, which is ranked after the 1,000 universities in the international classification of universities, to equalize those degrees by the Supreme Council. For universities, where it is decided to hold the test 3 times mainly, and a fourth time optional in case of need, provided that the three basic tests are held every four months, taking into account that the tests are held in different geographical places, including (University of Greater Cairo, University of Upper Egypt, University of In northern Egypt), the Supreme Council of Universities determines the time map for holding the exams and the names of the three universities in which the exams will be held.

In the event that the university’s classification is from 150-1000 globally, it is sufficient to review the credit hours of the study programs, and to review the course descriptions, through the sector equivalency committee.

In the event that the university from which the student obtained the degree is among the top 150 universities internationally, the degree will be directly equalized.

The council agreed to launch a competition among university students on the best short film, song, poster, operetta, self-initiative and research in the field of spreading moderate thought and rejecting extremism and terrorism. The winners.

The council agreed to amend the name of the Faculty of Computers and Information at Fayoum University to become the Faculty of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

The council also agreed to postpone the aptitude tests for admission to faculties of tourism and hotels in Egyptian universities this year, until a comprehensive evaluation of the admission experience is presented to the aptitude test system that was followed during the past year.

The Council was informed of the decision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities regarding the approval of allowing entry for free visits to Egyptian students in the departments of (Antiquities - History - Civilization - Tourist Guidance - Architecture - Fine Arts - Art Education - Heritage and Site Management - Museum Sciences) in the Faculties of "Archaeology, Literature, Fine Arts and Art Education" And applied arts, tourism, hotels, and Al-Azhar University”, for all archaeological sites and museums that are open every Saturday, in light of the fruitful cooperation between the Ministries of Higher Education and Tourism and Antiquities.