Prof. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Jackie Taylor, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, signed a protocol of cooperation between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England, at the Ministry's headquarters.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research affirmed that signing the protocol formalizes the existing partnership with prestigious British institutions, pointing out the importance of this protocol in developing health care in Egypt, especially as Egypt adopts serious reform policies, the results of which are reflected in the world's growing confidence that Egypt is moving forward on right track.

Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stated that the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons is one of the most prestigious international bodies in granting fellowship certificates in the medical fields, and that this protocol allows the establishment of a headquarters for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Cairo, and allows training and qualification of doctors in the field of medicine and surgery, and that the field of ophthalmology has been started, and that Research Institute of Ophthalmology in Cairo will host this specialty, and then we will start in the field of dentistry, and then other specialties in the medical sector.

The minister pointed to the importance of enhancing research and development capacity through cooperation with high-level scientific research institutions in the world, as well as benefiting from internationally acclaimed universities and research institutions to cooperate with Egyptian universities.

Dr. Abdel Ghaffar stated that in accordance with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to upgrade the medical sector to a global level, it was agreed in February 2020 between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England to work to promote the highest possible standards for surgical, medical and dental care in Egypt, as well as providing education and training after graduation, and reintroducing health care again after the Corona pandemic in 2022.

On her part, Dr. Jackie Taylor expressed her happiness at signing this protocol with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, noting that it reflects the depth of Egyptian-British relations, stressing her country's keenness to push and encourage bilateral cooperation with Egypt during the next stage.

The protocol states that the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons shall provide education and professional assessment services; To support Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons around the world, including the Arab Republic of Egypt, in order to set the highest possible standards of healthcare.

Areas of cooperation between the two sides include developing an educational program to support applicants for the FRCS (Ophthalmology) examinations, as well as participating in education, training and assessment for postgraduate students who have obtained their certificates from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England.

Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, Secretary of the Supreme Council of University Hospitals, Dr. Muhammad Latif, Secretary of the Supreme Council of Universities, Dr. Mohamed El-Shennawy, Advisor to the Minister for International Relations and Agreements, Dr. Mostafa Salah, Head of ‪Research Institute of Ophthalmology, and Dr. Amr Abu El-Ezz, former Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at Cairo University, and from the British side: Mr. Hani Otaiba, Director of International Relations at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mr. Andy Edward, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Mr. Ashraf Ayoub, Executive Director of the Executive Committee, Dr. Steve Graham, Executive Director of the College, Dr. Linda Irvine, Director of Membership Affairs, and Ms. Fiona Winter, Director of Education and Assessment at the college, witnessed the signing of the protocol ceremony.