Council Announces Timeline for New Academic Year 2025/2026

- September 20: Beginning of the new academic year at universities and institutes

- January 1: Beginning of final exams for the first semester

- January 24: Beginning of the mid-year break for the new academic year

- February 7: Beginning of the second semester

- May 21: End of the second semester

- Council Approves Coordination Rules for Admission to Public Universities and Higher Institutes

The Supreme Council of Universities held its regular meeting today, Saturday, at the headquarters of Menoufia University, headed by Prof. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and attended by Prof. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, and other members of the Council.

The Council thanked the Menoufia University family, headed by Prof. Ahmed El-Kased, President of the University, for hosting the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities.

The Council congratulated Prof. Shaden Moawia on her appointment as President of Sadat City University, wishing her continued progress and prosperity for the university in the coming period.

Prof. Ayman Ashour directed the rapid announcement of the results of the second semester exams for the current academic year 2024/2025.

The Minister also directed the completion of required maintenance work on university laboratories and facilities and a review of all occupational health and safety requirements before the start of the new academic year 2025/2026.

Prof. Ayman Ashour emphasized the importance of universities continuing to implement sports, artistic, cultural, and social activities and supporting talented athletes and artists during the summer vacation to harness the energy of young people and foster a sense of belonging and loyalty.

The Minister directed the focus on transforming the outcomes of scientific research into products that contribute to serving the national economy, in addition to promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, and linking scientific research to development plans and societal needs.

The Minister emphasized the need for universities to continue to foster a sense of belonging among university students and to develop plans to intensify student awareness campaigns to combat misconceptions.

The Council heard a report on the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research's most prominent activities during May, including a meeting between Prime Minister Prof. Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Prof. Ayman Ashour with a delegation from Oxford University. The meeting reviewed the university's efforts in oncology treatment and the adoption of a research project that includes new scientific methods to combat and treat tumors. This project will begin with the 500500 Institute at Cairo University, in preparation for its nationwide expansion.

Prof. Ayman Ashour launched the second edition of the "Be Ready" initiative, under the slogan "One Million Qualified Innovators" (Be Ready – 1M). The details of the initiative, its objectives, and the changes taking place in the labor market were reviewed.

Prof. Ayman Ashour witnessed the launch of the executive phase of the largest genome project in the Middle East and the delivery of genome samples from athletes. The Minister also announced the launch of the genome study of geniuses and the gifted. To understand the genetic factors associated with intelligence and creativity, and create a path to discovering creative individuals through genetic testing, this will contribute to the development of educational curricula dedicated to nurturing promising Egyptian minds.

The Minister also attended the opening of the Mobility Talk student forum, which included several discussion sessions on the qualitative leap witnessed by the railway sector in Egypt and the Middle East, highlighting the high-speed electric train project. The Minister also attended the opening of the KAISEC Cybersecurity Conference, one of the most prominent Arab events specializing in information security and the digital space.

The Minister of Higher Education and the European Union Ambassador to Egypt witnessed the launch of the Horizon Europe 2025 Action Program and the initial signing of the PRIMA agreement to enhance national research capabilities in water management and food production, as well as support for businesses and small and medium-sized industries in these sectors.

 

Prof. Ayman Ashour also attended the launch of the Youth Dialogue Series, organized under the theme "With Youth... Facts and Figures." This follows the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, on the importance of direct communication with citizens to showcase the government's efforts and services. This enhances trust between the state and its youth, supports the Egyptian state's vision of building human capital, and achieving a decent life for all citizens. The Minister also monitored the implementation of the "Know Yourself" program, implemented in cooperation between the Ministries of Higher Education and Youth and Sports, to build student awareness and develop their skills.

 

Prof. Ayman Ashour held a meeting with His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb. A cooperation protocol was also signed between Al-Azhar University and Ain Shams University, with the aim of collaborating with the industrial sector to enhance the role of universities in serving the most needy areas.

Prof. Ayman Ashour and Prof. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, also held a meeting with the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and the accompanying delegation. To discuss ways of cooperation to support the activities of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program and to strengthen the partnership between the two parties, contributing to the conservation of natural resources, the protection of biological and cultural diversity, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The Minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and the Research and Development Foundation at West Virginia State University in the United States of America, to enhance cooperation in the fields of agricultural genomics and food security. The Minister also witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Education Development Fund of the Prime Minister's Office and the Electronics Research Institute, to train Egyptian cadres in the fields of microelectronics and renewable energy.

Prof. Ayman Ashour welcomed world-renowned surgeon Dr. Magdi Yacoub. The Minister praised the scientific partnership between Aswan University and the Magdi Yacoub Foundation, and the integration of academic education and practical application, which contributes to the advancement of the healthcare system.

 

Prof. Ayman Ashour attended the activities of the First University Hospitals Conference, organized by the Supreme Council of University Hospitals in cooperation with Ain Shams University. The Minister also attended the opening of the 13th International Scientific Conference of Ain Shams University, under the theme "75 Years of Excellence and Leadership... An Eye on the Past, a Sun Illuminating the Future." The Minister also inaugurated the annual scientific conference of the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, held under the title "Towards an Innovative Medical Society."

The Minister also attended the closing ceremony of the Summit Forum for Scientific and Engineering Innovations, a strategic platform for supporting talented students from higher and intermediate institutes and technological universities. The Minister also attended the "Leaders Cultural Salon" for students from Egyptian universities and institutes.

 

The Minister highlighted the holding of the regular meeting of the Supreme Council for Private Higher Institutes Affairs outside Cairo, a first-of-its-kind initiative. The Minister also met with students from the Delta Higher Institutes in Mansoura and toured several laboratories.

Prof. Ayman Ashour conducted an inspection tour of Souad Kafafi University Hospital on the sidelines of the Private Universities Council meeting. The Minister listened to a detailed explanation of the hospital's operations, the medical and educational activities it provides, and the health services it provides to citizens.

Prof. Ayman Ashour also announced during the regular meeting of the Private Universities Council the issuance of presidential decrees establishing 12 new private universities, which will begin operations in the upcoming academic year 2025/2026. This brings the total number of universities in Egypt to 128.

 

Prof. Ayman Ashour held a meeting with members of the ministerial committee for the appointment of faculty and support staff at higher institutes. The Minister also chaired a meeting with the directors of centers for people with disabilities at Egyptian universities. The meeting discussed the challenges facing students with disabilities at Egyptian universities and how to address them.

The report noted that numerous meetings were held with ministers, ambassadors, foreign officials, and delegations from foreign universities to discuss mechanisms for enhancing joint scientific and research cooperation.

The Council heard a presentation by Dr. Hossam Othman, Deputy Minister for Innovation and Scientific Research, on monitoring university efforts to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Innovation. He also emphasized the importance of providing practical training for researchers on how to utilize research outputs, market scientific research outputs, identify the commercial potential of research, conduct feasibility studies, familiarize researchers with their key research roles, and familiarize them with business incubators and accelerators.

 

The Council also heard a presentation by Prof. Sherif Keshk, Assistant Minister for Smart Governance, on the implementation plan for the "Be Ready - One Million Innovative Qualified" initiative, as one of the executive mechanisms of the presidential "Alliance and Development" initiative, under the umbrella of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. The plan includes supporting sustainability plans for professional development centers, maintaining existing work teams, and utilizing faculty members from the Faculties of Arts and Languages ​​to deliver accredited language programs. Keshk also included integrating the initiative into academic and operational schedules, facilitating the use of laboratories, digital centers, and testing centers within universities to implement training activities, and facilitating communication and coordination through the directors of professional development centers, as official representatives of the initiative within each university. Prof. Mona Hagras, Assistant Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Universities, gave a presentation on the BRICS group's work priorities and the organizational structure of the BRICS University Network. She also discussed the membership of 22 Egyptian universities in the specialized committees of the BRICS University Network. She also presented areas of cooperation, including economics, water resources, water management, energy, sustainable agriculture and food security, climate change, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, computer science and information security, health sciences, BRICS studies, and mathematics. She also presented the most prominent themes of Egypt's participation in education meetings until May 2025.

Prof. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry, stated that the Council approved, during its meeting, the timeline for the new academic year 2025/2026, which begins on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Mid-term exams will be held during the first three weeks of November, depending on each faculty. The first semester will last for 15 weeks, ending on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Final exams will begin on May 1, 2026. The first semester begins on Saturday, January 3, 2026, and ends on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The mid-year break begins on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and ends on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The second semester begins on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Mid-term exams are held during the first three weeks of April, depending on the faculty. The study period lasts for 15 weeks, ending on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Second-semester exams are held during May and June 2026, depending on the nature of study and exams at each faculty. The official spokesperson added that the Council has approved the admission coordination rules for students who have obtained the Egyptian General Secondary Certificate and its equivalent (Arab and foreign certificates), technical certificates, and the Al-Azhar Secondary Certificate for the year 2025, as well as those applying for the 2025 coordination to enroll in public universities and institutes for the 2025/2026 academic year. These rules apply to the same coordination rules in effect last year.

The Council also followed up on the efforts of the committee formed to implement the measures taken by the Ministry of Higher Education to promote Egyptian universities through various official platforms, by producing diverse digital content that addresses target audiences at home and abroad.

 

The Council reviewed the implementation plan for the "Be Ready - One Million Innovative Qualified" initiative, as one of the executive mechanisms of the presidential "Alliance and Development" initiative, under the umbrella of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research. This plan includes supporting the sustainability plans of professional development centers and maintaining existing work teams, utilizing faculty members from the Faculties of Arts and Languages ​​to deliver accredited language programs, integrating the initiative into academic and operational schedules, facilitating the use of laboratories, digital centers, and testing centers within universities to implement training activities, and facilitating communication and coordination through the directors of professional development centers, as official representatives of the initiative within each university.

The Council reviewed a report on the Egyptian Student Participation Survey until May 2025, and presented data on the percentage of university participation.

The Council was informed of the Sohag University Council's decision to approve the establishment of Sohag Venture Company (SVCO), which aims to market the outcomes of scientific research, provide consulting services, and invest in the university's intellectual and technical assets, contributing to supporting innovation and economic development.

The Council was also informed of Benha University's organization of the first forum for employment and professional development, held under the title "Moving Towards the Future."