French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the French-Egyptian Conference on Scientific and Academic Cooperation in Cairo University. AFP
Macron made his remarks during the French-Egyptian Conference on Scientific and Academic Cooperation at Cairo University, part of his official visit to Egypt.
“We are committed to providing greater support for students across various educational fields,” the French leader said, highlighting Egypt's leadership in academic programmes.
Macron also discussed plans to mobilize more resources to launch joint Egyptian-French university initiatives, focusing on establishing new academic institutions.
“We hope to make Francophonie a central theme within our shared educational projects between Egypt and France,” he told attendees.
The French leader further emphasized the importance of promoting innovation in scientific research to keep both countries at the forefront of global intellectual advancement.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour noted that both countries agreed to support academic programmes at Egypt’s universities. He pointed out that Egypt has 116 universities, including public, private, and national universities and branches of foreign institutions.
Ashour highlighted the French University in Egypt (UFE) as a key pillar of educational cooperation. Established in 2002 and significantly developed in 2019, the university remains one of the most prominent joint projects in the Egypt-France higher education and research partnership.
“The UFE is expanding into a new 30-acre campus,” Ashour said.
He also mentioned signing a protocol between UFE and nine top French universities, offering specialized programmes in emerging sciences tailored to the needs of the Egyptian, Arab, and African job markets.
Ashour praised the longstanding Egypt-France relationship in higher education and scientific research, which has led to many achievements.
At the forum, 13 Egyptian and 22 French universities signed 42 cooperation protocols, including modern interdisciplinary programmes that align academic training with the job market’s future needs.
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