Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, participated in the regular meeting of the Supreme Council of Universities, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and attended by Prof. Mostafa Refaat, Secretary of the Council, along with the presidents of Egypt's public universities.
At the outset of the meeting, the Council extended its congratulations to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and to the Egyptian people on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the June 30 Revolution. The Council emphasized that this historic national occasion represents a significant milestone in Egypt's modern history and reflects the will of the Egyptian people to build the New Republic while advancing sustainable development and national stability.
Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased stated that the Supreme Council of Universities approved the formation of the Higher Coordination Committee for the 2026/2027 academic year. The Council also discussed several strategic issues related to the development of Egypt's higher education and scientific research system in preparation for the upcoming academic year.
During the meeting, the Minister of Higher Education stressed the importance of activating universities' role in the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, urging universities and research centers to expand the submission of innovative projects that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also called for the continued implementation of comprehensive university development convoys across all governorates and the expansion of these initiatives into African countries, highlighting the societal and humanitarian role of Egyptian universities.
Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased affirmed that Menoufia University places great importance on actively participating in the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects by encouraging researchers and students to develop innovative projects that support sustainable development goals. He added that the University continues to organize comprehensive development, medical, veterinary, agricultural, and awareness convoys to serve local communities across various governorates, reflecting its national and developmental mission in line with the State's vision and the Ministry of Higher Education's strategy to promote sustainability, community engagement, and Egypt Vision 2030.
The Minister also emphasized the necessity of completing periodic maintenance of university facilities and laboratories before the start of the new academic year. He further highlighted the importance of continuing sports, artistic, cultural, social, and training activities throughout the summer vacation to enhance students' skills and discover their talents, while maintaining efforts to rationalize energy consumption and expand the use of clean energy applications across universities.
Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased expressed his appreciation for the Council's recognition of the remarkable progress achieved by Egyptian universities in international rankings. A total of 29 Egyptian universities were included in the US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2026/2027, while 18 Egyptian universities and higher education institutions were listed in the QS World University Rankings 2027. In addition, 60 Egyptian scientific journals were indexed in the Clarivate Journal Citation Reports (JCR) 2025, and 45 Egyptian universities were featured in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026, reflecting the continuous advancement of the quality of higher education and scientific research in Egypt.
In this context, Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased highlighted that Menoufia University continues to strengthen its international standing after achieving significant progress in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026, advancing by 200 places to be ranked within the 601–800 global band. The University also ranked 17th nationally among 45 Egyptian universities, demonstrating the success of its strategy to integrate sustainability principles, support scientific research and innovation, and enhance its community engagement in line with the State's vision and the Ministry of Higher Education's efforts to improve the global competitiveness of Egyptian universities.
The Council also reviewed a report on the Ministry of Higher Education's key activities during June, including monitoring the implementation of presidential directives to develop the higher education system, strengthen international partnerships, enhance university-industry collaboration, expand joint academic programs with international universities, promote digital transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as develop university hospitals and healthcare projects.
Furthermore, the Council reviewed presentations on the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, the strategy for comprehensive university development convoys, mechanisms for evaluating universities' performance based on their strategic plans, ongoing efforts to develop faculty capacity-building centers, and the digital transformation procedures related to issuing secure certificates of Digital Transformation Fundamentals.
Concluding the meeting, Prof. Ahmed Farag El-Kased reaffirmed that Menoufia University remains committed to implementing the policies and directives of the Supreme Council of Universities and the Ministry of Higher Education. These efforts aim to advance the educational and research system, strengthen the University's role in community service, support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, enhance the international competitiveness of Egyptian universities, and promote scientific research, innovation, digital transformation, and active participation in national initiatives that serve the Egyptian State.