The Supreme Council of Universities held its periodic meeting, chaired by Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, today, Saturday, in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and members of the Council, at the headquarters of Matrouh University.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council thanked the family of Matrouh University, headed by Dr. Mustafa El-Naggar, President of the University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

The council thanked the outgoing presidents of universities who presided over their universities at the end of July, for their fruitful efforts in developing the higher education system in their universities, they are: (Dr. El-Sayed El-Sharkawy, President of Suez University, Dr. El-Sayed Dadour, President of Damietta University, Dr. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of Ain Shams University, Dr. Youssef Gharbawy, President of South Valley University, Dr. Gamal Sousse, President of Benha University, Dr. Mostafa Abdel-Khalek, President Sohag University),

The Council appreciated the development achieved by the outgoing university presidents in all university work tracks and had the best impact in raising the international classification of their universities.

The minister confirmed the readiness of the main coordination office in the university dormitory at Ain Shams University to start its work, as well as the readiness of computer laboratories in all public universities. To assist students during the electronic coordination period to enroll in public universities and institutes, while providing qualified mentors to assist students throughout the coordination period, in addition to the continuation of the media campaign of the Ministry's media office to develop student’s awareness of how to complete electronic coordination in all its stages.

Dr. Ayman Ashour emphasized the importance of universities continuing to implement sports, artistic, cultural, and social activities, and supporting sports and artistic talents, during the summer vacation, to take advantage of the energies of young people, and develop their spirit of belonging and loyalty, directing the need to complete all maintenance work required by laboratories and university facilities before the start of the new academic year; To ensure the quality of the educational process.

The Council listened to a report on the most prominent activities of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research during the month of July, including the minister’s visit to France, an inspection of Egypt’s House in Paris, and a meeting with the French Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, to enhance means of cooperation in the fields of higher education between the two countries, in addition to a visit The United Kingdom is heading a delegation of university presidents representing regional alliances to discuss supporting joint cooperation with Britain in the field of employment and professional development in higher education institutions, by participating in a series of dialogue sessions, visiting the University of London for interdisciplinary, and inspecting the UCL pavilion for entrepreneurship and innovation, holding a meeting with the British Minister of Higher Education, Skills and Employment, and meeting with Egyptian students on scholarship studying in the United Kingdom, and participation in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. The minister also visited the European Council for Nuclear Research in Geneva and met with some Egyptian researchers and academics enrolled in the European Council.

The report also referred to the signing of an agreement for the terms of the executive plan to establish dual degrees between the Universities of Alexandria, Alexandria University, and the British University of East London, where the “Training and Sports Performance” program will be launched for the first time in cooperation with West Ham United, the main partner of West Ham United Club, the European Conference League champion. In addition to announcing the results of state awards in science and advanced technological sciences, awards for pioneers and women, and awards for organizations and individuals, as well as the opening of some scientific conferences, and holding a number of meetings with ambassadors and foreign officials; To discuss ways to support scientific and research cooperation.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the media advisor and official spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the council approved, in its meeting, the time map for the new academic year 2023/2024, which begins on Saturday, September 30, 2023, and the study continues in the first semester for a period of 14 weeks, ending on Thursday, January 4, 2024. The exams for the end of the first semester begin on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and end on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The mid-year vacation begins on Saturday, January 27, 2024, and ends on Thursday, February 8, 2024. The second semester begins on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and the study continues for 16 weeks and ends Thursday, May 30, 2024, and exams for the second semester will be held during the month of June 2024, according to the nature of study and exams in each faculty.

The spokesperson added that the Council approved the result of the competition for the best environmentally friendly university for the academic year 2022/2023, where Cairo and Mansoura Universities won the first place equally, Ain Shams University came in second place, and Assiut University won the third place, while Beni Suef University won an encouragement award, as a young university, it includes several distinguished colleges, and the participating universities were evaluated according to 10 criteria, which included: basic concepts of the principles of environmental preservation and sustainability, educational systems "learning and scientific research", university infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water management, transportation within the university, environmental quality, a sustainability plan that complies with international laws and regulations and international agreements, the standard of crisis management and preparedness to deal with them, epidemics and disasters.

The spokesperson added that the Council approved the final version of the updated general guiding framework for the regulations of human medicine faculties in universities, and the Council also instructed to quickly send the new regulations after they were amended so that they could be approved.

The spokesperson added that the council agreed to start studying at the Faculty of Physiotherapy, at Suez Canal University.

The Council also approved the resumption of studies at the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences at Damanhour University in light of the reports of the visits of the specialized committees, which confirmed the completion of all the requirements for the resumption of studies.

The spokesperson added that the Council agreed to open the registration for diploma and technical institute exams for students who obtained a diploma from technical secondary schools (the three-year system), technical secondary schools (the five-year system), and technical institutes (the two-year post-secondary system) for admission to faculties of ( Business- Engineering- Law and Agriculture) in public universities for the academic year 2023/2024, starting on Tuesday 1/8/2023, according to the exam schedules announced on the website of the Supreme Council of Universities for the concerned faculties.