Egyptian cabinet meeting. Photo courtesy of Egyptian cabinet.
The project, led by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, will transform the desert land into an integrated agro-industrial city, involving 28 public universities in collaboration with industrial and agricultural sectors across the country.
Announced earlier in July, the initiative aims to move scientific research from laboratories into practical applications, creating regional innovation ecosystems that leverage local strengths. Each university will focus on projects aligned with its expertise and geographic proximity, for instance, furniture production in Damietta and textiles in Gharbia.
“The project represents a qualitative leap in higher education, linking academic research directly to production and local development,” a ministry spokesperson said at the time.
Launched in 2023, the Alliance and Development initiative is designed to strengthen partnerships among universities, government bodies, and industry to drive innovation and support Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The New Valley project will focus on cultivating strategic crops and medicinal and aromatic plants, contributing to Egypt’s desert agriculture and national research priorities.
The initiative divides the country into seven regional zones, each forming an innovation alliance that brings together universities, ministries, and industrial partners to tackle local development challenges.
The Ministry of Higher Education has allocated an initial EGP 1 billion to fund applied research projects and the establishment of regional boards of trustees, composed of university leaders, government officials, and private-sector representatives.
Applications for participation opened earlier this year, with universities and research institutions submitting proposals across sectors including agriculture, biotechnology, renewable energy, industrial technology, and tourism.
The first phase produced 104 development alliances with 808 members and a combined budget of EGP 13 billion.
The participating alliances were distributed across Egypt’s seven regions as follows: Greater Cairo (61 alliances), Delta (11 alliances), Alexandria (10 alliances), South Upper Egypt (9 alliances), North Upper Egypt (5 alliances), Suez Canal (5 alliances), and Assiut (3 alliances).
In July, Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour said each alliance will focus on capacity building, awareness raising, startup development, product innovation, and the technological infrastructure needed to ensure operational efficiency.
Funding for each alliance ranges from EGP 90 million to EGP 150 million, disbursed annually as grants and co-investments with partners.
The initiative represents one of Egypt’s most ambitious efforts to integrate higher education, scientific research, and industrial development, turning academic knowledge into practical solutions that bolster regional and national competitiveness.
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