Dr. Ahmed El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, participated in the meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, which was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and in the presence of Dr. Mustafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council and members of the Council, Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, the media advisor and official spokesman, university presidents and members of the Council at the New Valley University headquarters.

Dr. Ahmed El-Kased explained that the meeting discussed many important topics in universities and the Ministry of Higher Education

The Minister of Higher Education announced during the meeting that next March will witness the signing of the seventh regional alliance that includes the universities of Greater Cairo within the framework of the presidential initiative “Alliance and Development,” in addition to the formation of the Executive Council, which will follow up on the implementation of the regional alliances plan to support scientific research for industry and the national economy. And confronting the challenges facing the different geographical regions at the republic level.

El-Kased pointed out that the Minister directed that universities quickly complete the implementation of all logistical needs and educational services for people of determination, with the need to intensify the efforts of universities. To empower students with determination, increase student activities to develop and refine the skills and abilities of these students, and organize events and activities that contribute to the integration of students with determination while increasing the services provided to these students in university educational institutions, and providing all facilities to them, within the framework of the state’s efforts; To integrate them into society

El-Kased added that the Minister of Higher Education stressed the importance of continuing the efforts of universities during the second semester in implementing executive plans for cultural, artistic, and sports activities. For its effective role in developing students’ skills in all fields, the Minister also praised the positive participation of university students in the International Book Fair.

He stressed that universities will continue to implement medical, veterinary, and agricultural convoys, organize educational seminars, and various events and activities, and contribute positively to capacity building in the health, environmental, veterinary, and social fields, in cooperation with the presidential initiative “A Decent Life.” To activate the role of universities in serving society and developing the environment at the level of all governorates.

El-Kased said that the Minister of Higher Education reviewed the ministry’s efforts and activities during the month of February and also praised the inclusion of 50 Egyptian universities in the Webometrics classification of reference citations for the year 2024.

He praised the inclusion of 79 Egyptian educational institutions in the January 2024 edition of the Webometrics “General” classification, which includes 32,000 educational institutions from all over the world. He directed the need for universities to continue providing support to researchers to increase scientific publishing in prestigious scientific journals. To improve the ranking of Egyptian universities in major international classifications.

The Minister also praised the advanced positions obtained by Egyptian universities in the Arab University Classification 2023 and their presence among 115 universities from 16 Arab countries within the classification.

El-Kased pointed out that the Council agreed to start work on the Egyptian university land project in the New Valley Governorate and follow it up, within the framework of actually starting land reclamation for each university in the New Valley Governorate. To create specialized scientific model farms that will have a positive impact on the development of scientific research in Egyptian universities and contribute to the implementation of the state’s plan for the development of the Upper Egypt region.

Dr. Ahmed El-Kased added that the Council witnessed a detailed presentation on the studies carried out by the Authority on university land with an area of 16 thousand acres in the New Valley Governorate, to study groundwater for the development of the specialized model farm for universities. A study was also presented on the quality of the soil and its crop composition, as the study reported. The land is suitable for growing many crops, such as: barley, sugar beets, alfalfa, tomatoes, potatoes, peanuts, and dates.

The field study that was carried out regarding the project to establish model specialized scientific farms on university grounds in the New Valley was also presented. The study reviewed the establishment of a sustainable smart complex, a review of the proposed layout of the land, and the distribution of various activities. To create many job opportunities and provide all services and facilities, in addition to creating comprehensive agricultural development of the land, as well as reviewing the appropriate crop composition according to the nature of the water and climate in the region.