The University of Transport will be the first specialized university in the Middle East and Africa dedicated to transport and logistics sciences.
The initiative comes as the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in coordination with the cabinet-affiliated Education Development Fund, works to establish a new generation of specialized universities aimed at preparing skilled, job-ready graduates in priority sectors.
These sectors include transport, food, energy, tourism, and sports sciences, in line with Egypt’s sustainable development goals and the demands of the Fifth Industrial Revolution.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour said last week that preparations are underway to launch academic programmes at the University of Transport in partnership with Germany’s Technical University of Dresden, and at the University of Food in collaboration with Japan’s Hiroshima University.
Ministry officials said in statements published on Monday that the programmes will be accredited according to national and international standards to improve graduates’ employment prospects and ensure they meet changing labour-market requirements.
The officials described the University of Transport as the first institution of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East, with formal instruction scheduled to begin in late 2026.
The university will serve as a specialized academic centre for training graduates with both scientific knowledge and practical skills to support Egypt’s large-scale transport and infrastructure projects.
They added that the university will admit general secondary school graduates and allow engineering students to pursue complementary specializations in transport sciences.
This model aims to combine academic study with practical training and keep pace with rapid global developments in the transport sector.
The University of Transport will operate through a multi-campus system, with its main headquarters located in one of the Ministry of Transport’s buildings.
Training will rely heavily on workshops affiliated with the ministry, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in real work environments from the early stages of their studies.
The plan also includes cooperation with existing technological universities, the use of their laboratories and specialized workshops, and access to facilities at other relevant universities.
Academically, the university will comprise three main faculties: Engineering, Transport Technology, and Transport Economics, working in an integrated manner to prepare graduates capable of designing, operating, and managing modern transport projects.
These include railways, metro systems, ports, maritime and land transport, logistics, intelligent transport systems, road safety, planning, and sustainable transport.
At the same time, the University of Food will comprise five specialized faculties covering smart agriculture, animal production, water resources management, food processing technology, and agricultural mechanization.
It will also include a research centre and an entrepreneurship incubator in partnership with Hiroshima University. This structure is intended to link water management and food security while supporting national agricultural and food-security projects.
Minister Ashour said that specialized universities are a key pillar of higher education reform under the directives of the political leadership.
He added that the model focuses on flexible, project-based learning, advanced digital skills, innovation, and strong partnerships with industry and international universities. These partnerships aim to localize advanced industries, attract investment, and expand employment opportunities.
The minister noted that the move toward specialized universities aligns with the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs report, which highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, analytical and creative thinking, and adaptability. This shift requires updated curricula, modern teaching methods, and stronger applied research partnerships with industry.
The ministry said coordination meetings are continuing with relevant ministries and international partners to finalize academic regulations, accredit programmes, and announce admission systems and study rules ahead of the full launch of the new universities.
Germany’s Technical University (TU) of Dresden is one of the country’s leading public research institutions and a member of the prestigious German Universities of Excellence initiative, underscoring its standing among Europe’s top universities for research and innovation.
Founded in 1828, the university is among Germany’s oldest technical institutions and is internationally recognized for its strengths in engineering, natural sciences, and applied research.
It enrols more than 30,000 students across five academic schools spanning engineering sciences, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, natural and life sciences, and humanities and social sciences.
TU Dresden is particularly known for its Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, one of Europe’s leading centres for education and research in transport systems, logistics, mobility planning, traffic management, and sustainable transport.
The faculty maintains close cooperation with industry and public authorities, integrating academic research with large-scale infrastructure and smart mobility projects.
Japan’s Hiroshima University is one of the country’s leading national research institutions, with a strong international reputation in agriculture, food sciences, engineering, environmental studies, and sustainability-oriented research.
The university was formally established in 1949 as part of Japan’s post-war higher education reforms, bringing together several academic institutions whose origins date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, Hiroshima University enrols over 15,000 students across a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including a sizable international student community. The university is particularly known for its expertise in agriculture, food systems, water resource management, and environmental sciences, with research focusing on smart agriculture, food processing technologies, climate resilience, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
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